Ma Yihua shows off her palm fiber weaving products. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

The palm fiber weaving handicraft, which originated in the Three Kingdoms (220-280), has a history of over 1,700 years. Ma Yihua, the craft's sixth-generation inheritor, has been dedicated to preserving and promoting the traditional handicraft.

Ma has had a deep connection with this craft since childhood. Palm leaf-woven fans, shoes, and baskets were indispensable daily items in her home; the small grasshoppers, dragonflies, and butterflies intricately woven by her parents were the most beautiful memories of her childhood. From a young age, she followed her father to learn the craft.

"The ancestral craft must not be lost." Being the sixth-generation inheritor is an honor and a heavy responsibility for her. "With the changes of the times and technological advancements, traditional crafts are disappearing, which constantly worries me," Ma said. "I have been pondering how to integrate traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics to create products that meet market demands while embodying cultural heritage."

To adapt to modern lifestyle needs, Ma innovatively designed palm weaving decorations for homes, incorporating modern fashion elements while preserving the traditional charm of palm weaving, making palm fiber weaving more relevant to contemporary life.

Palm fiber weaving art cannot thrive without the involvement of new talents. Ma actively engages with communities and schools, offering training sessions. She holds around 30 classes per quarter, each recruiting 30 participants.

In the new year, the craftswoman plans to compile her practical experience into a book. The book will showcase palm fiber weaving techniques with detailed illustrations, documenting every step, from material selection and design to weaving and shaping. This book will provide a valuable reference for future generations learning palm fiber weaving, inspiring more people to join the craft's inheritance and development.