In pics: silver artisans in central China's Hunan (5)

Long Jitang works on a silver piece at Debang Village of Fenghuang County in Tujia-Miao Autonomous Prefecture of Xiangxi, central China's Hunan Province, Feb. 28, 2019. Long Jitang, 80, has been being dedicated to making silver accessories since he was young at Debang Village. Not only him, but also his son Long Xianhu and grandson Long Jianping devote themselves to traditional Miao silver making. A silver handicraft is completed after dozens of procedures including silver melting, forging, inlaying and pattern making. Wearing elaborate silver headdresses and jewelry during weddings is common for females of the Miao ethnic group. Making a whole set of silver outfit takes at least seven days with seven to eight silversmiths involved, according to Long Jitang. Many silver artisans give up traditional Miao silver making and work outside the village as the popularity of machine-made silver accessories poses a threat to handmade silver pieces in areas inhabiting the Miao ethnic group. However, Long Jitang sticks to traditional Miao silver making skills - choosing pure silver as raw materials for handmade silver accessories and adopting traditional ethnic patterns. Pioneered by Long's family, Debang has been dubbed as a village of silversmiths where there are over ten silver workshops with about 200 silver artisans involved. (Xinhua/Wan Zhiyun)