Young inheritor embraces innovation to pass on Tongzi clay whistle making techniques

Yao Debo, a young inheritor of the techniques used for making Tongzi clay whistles in Tongzi county, Zunyi city, southwest China's Guizhou Province, has made unremitting efforts to pass on the handicraft by embracing innovation.

Yao Debo makes a Tongzi clay whistle. (Chinanews.com/Qu Honglun)

With a history of nearly 300 years, Tongzi clay whistle making techniques have been listed as an intangible cultural heritage item in the county. The traditional craft involves over 10 steps, including clay selection, firing and coloring.

Yao, 34, is a first-generation inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage. He majored in fine arts in college, and after graduating, worked in jobs related to ceramics in places outside the county, including Beijing and central China's Hunan Province.

Yao Debo makes a tiger-shaped Tongzi clay whistle. (Chinanews.com/Qu Honglun)

Yao encountered Ji Jianqiang, an inheritor of the techniques used in making Tongzi clay whistles, at an intangible cultural heritage exhibition during the Spring Festival holidays of 2019. After listening to stories about the traditional craft, Yao developed a strong interest in it. He started to learn the techniques from Ji in April 2019 and mastered them in less than two months.

"The traditional techniques for making Tongzi clay whistles were simple. Traditional Tongzi clay whistles were also simple in terms of shape. They were fragile and prone to losing their color if the firing temperature was lower than the required level," Yao said.

The craftsman has made innovations in the techniques, including introducing new themes such as figures, animals and plants in addition to the traditional theme of the 12 Chinese Zodiac signs, as well as launching cultural and creative products.

Yao Debo blows a Tongzi clay whistle. (Chinanews.com/Qu Honglun)

These days, Tongzi clay whistles are available in more colors and types and are more durable thanks to improvements in the firing process. "I also developed porous Tongzi clay whistles, which attracted more 'fans'," Yao said.

In addition, Yao has shared the steps involved in making Tongzi clay whistles and the methods of blowing them with netizens through live-streaming sessions. He has also introduced the techniques to students in several schools in the county on a regular basis.

"Enabling more people to develop an interest in the techniques for making Tongzi clay whistles is the best way to pass on the intangible cultural heritage," Yao said.

Photo shows Tongzi clay whistles made by Yao Debo. (Chinanews.com/Qu Honglun)

Yao Debo introduces the steps involved in making Tongzi clay whistles via a live-streaming session. (Chinanews.com/Qu Honglun)