Black pottery brings prosperity to village in Shangri-La, Yunnan province

The ancient craft of Tibetan black pottery is driving villagers on a path to prosperity in Tangdui, nestled in the city of Shangri-La in Southwest China's Yunnan province.

The time-honored craft, renowned for its deep black hue akin to paint and the brilliance of jade, holds the status of a State-level intangible cultural heritage. Spanning over 2,000 years of history, its roots lie in Tibetan areas such as Tangdui, in Tangman village, Nixi township of Shangri-La's Dechen Tibetan autonomous prefecture, as well as in Sichuan and Qinghai provinces.

66-year-old Kelsang Wangdu, echoing a generational tradition in Tangdui, started learning the technique at 12. However, life led him away from this craft as he had to seek a livelihood elsewhere. It was not until his 50s that he returned home to revive this cherished art that are ingrained in his lineage.

"Every day, I dedicate myself to refining my skills, crafting new black pottery, and teaching a group of apprentices step by step," he said. Currently, he mentors 11 apprentices, including his son, passing down the age-old techniques.

The artistry of black pottery making in Tangdui involves a meticulous process: blending white and red clay, weathered sand, and gravel, and then shaping and firing the milled raw materials through 12 intricate steps. These crafts are widely used in Tibetan lives, serving as essential tableware, cooking utensils, tea sets and more.

In 2008, the "Tibetan Black Pottery Firing Technique" was included in the national intangible cultural heritage protection list.

In recent years, local government support has fueled product innovation and increased local participation, shifting black pottery production from basic essentials to over 80 diverse items, such as vases and wine glasses, significantly boosting villagers' income.

"Currently there are 154 households in the village; 108 of them are making black pottery products," said Tashi Nyima, director of Tangman village. He noted that black ceramics have become a vital source of income for villagers, replacing previous livelihoods linked to collecting matsutake mushrooms and planting crops. Statistics show the annual sales of black pottery in Tangdui reached 4.6 million yuan ($640,000) from 2020 to 2022.

To intertwine heritage with tourism, Tangdui has introduced an array of cultural activities throughout the year, luring more tourists. In 2023 alone, nearly 8,000 visitors flock to Tangdui, seeking an immersive encounter with the artistry of black pottery.

Losang Phuntsok, an entrepreneurial leader chosen by the villagers, expressed his hope to promote Tangdui's pottery culture through the diversified experiences introduced by the local government - ranging from viewing peach blossoms in spring and sunflowers in summer to year-round black pottery crafting. He said he hopes to spread the craft's appeal worldwide while engaging more villagers in safeguarding this cherished tradition.

"I hope to develop innovative products with strong market demand, allowing our villagers to earn more. This, in turn, will encourage our younger generation to stay in the village to better preserve this cultural heritage," said Losang Phuntsok.