Pic story: inheritor of traditional Tibetan mask making technique in Xizang

A craftsman checks a traditional Tibetan mask in Dagze District of Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Dec. 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida) 

Shilok is an inheritor of a traditional Tibetan mask making technique, a regional intangible cultural heritage with time-consuming procedures including sculpting, layering, air-drying, and painting.

In 2012, Shilok set up a cooperative for making Tibetan opera masks with the help of the local government and started to work here with his apprentices. "Most of our orders are from Tibetan opera troupes," Shilok said.

In recent years, the cooperative has provided a space for local people to learn mask-making skills, created employment opportunities, and contributed to the protection and development of intangible cultural heritages.

A craftsman looks at traditional Tibetan masks at a cooperative in Dagze District of Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Dec. 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)

Shilok crafts a traditional Tibetan mask at a cooperative in Dagze District of Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Dec. 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

Shilok (R) and his colleague check a traditional Tibetan mask in Dagze District of Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Dec. 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

A craftsman makes a traditional Tibetan mask at a cooperative in Dagze District of Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Dec. 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)

Craftsmen pose for a group photo in front of a cooperative in Dagze District of Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Dec. 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

Shilok crafts a traditional Tibetan mask at a cooperative in Dagze District of Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Dec. 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

Craftsmen pose for a group photo at a workshop of a cooperative in Dagze District of Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Dec. 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)

Shilok looks at a traditional Tibetan mask at an exhibition hall of a cooperative in Dagze District of Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Dec. 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)

Shilok (R) and his colleague talk about traditional Tibetan mask-making experience in Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Dec. 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)

A craftsman looks at traditional Tibetan masks at a cooperative in Dagze District of Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Dec. 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)

Shilok crafts a traditional Tibetan mask at a cooperative in Dagze District of Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Dec. 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

Shilok (1st L) and his colleague talk about traditional Tibetan mask-making experience in Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Dec. 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)