Ecological development revives, preserves Chinese reindeer tribe (6)

De Keli makes reindeer leather handicrafts at Aoluguya nationality township in Genhe, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, on Aug 6, 2020. [Photo by Zhao Shiyue/chinadaily.com.cn]

Although Ewenkis in Aoguluya have left the mountains and stepped into modern life, they still maintain the traditional lifestyle and remain devoted to preserving the tribe's precious cultural heritage.

De Keli, 48-year-old, has been making ethic clothing and leather handicrafts for nearly 20 years. As one of the intangible cultural heritage inheritors in Innner Mongolia autonomous region, she tries to integrate contemporary aesthetic ideas with Ewenki's traditional totems by engraving complex graphics on reindeer fur.

In 2018, with help of the government, De Keli set up an entrepreneurial base and offered training courses for rural women on how to make fur and leather crafts.

"Poverty alleviation is not a matter of making money alone, but learning practical skills to earn a living," De Keli said. "By working in my handicraft base, their income could reach 8,000 to 20,000 yuan in two months."

Zhang considers the key of sustainable development to be the transformation in locals' ideas, concepts and thoughts. "Only when we explore new ways of development can the Ewenki reindeer tribe experience more opportunities for ethnic prosperity."