An Art Coming from Palms

新繁棕编省级非遗代表性传承人罗志勇与棕编作品。图据新都区文化广电体育和旅游局公众号

精美的新繁棕编作品。图据新都区文化广电体育和旅游局公众号

精美的新繁棕编作品。图据新都区文化广电体育和旅游局公众号

新繁棕编作品。图据新都区文化广电体育和旅游局公众号

◎成都树德中学宁夏校区高三（11）班 孔肇熙
　　Shoes and hats may be the first things that come to mind when thinking of artifacts made from plants,yet the possibilities of natural fibers can still surprise you. In the villages of Xinfan town,life is decorated with objects woven from twisted strips of leaves, boasting fine yet diverse shapes.
　　With a history more than two centuries, Xinfan Palm Leaf Weaving has developed into seven varieties, including shoes, hats, handbags, and even chair cushions, available in dozens of colours. Additionally, the styles vary according to their purpose, ranging from delicacy to simplicity, from purity to modesty. Its secret lies in the techniques developed for different purpose: pepper-eye weaving which creates regular patterns;dense weaving which is ideal for fans and shoes; and ren-shaped weaving commonly used to produce refined hats and mats.
　　Behind these creations stand generations of skilled craftsmen who have passed down the art. Every April, they collect palm leaves, process them into strands, twist them into ropes, and then steam, whiten, and sun-dry them. Once prepared, the strips are woven by hand, and after a series of stunning moves, items-such as a grasshopper- take shape in the artisan’s palms, inspiring wonder. It is recognized not only for the marvellous skills, but also the wisdom and taste of the craftswomen.
译文 掌中棕叶
　　谈及植物制作的手工艺品，鞋子和帽子或许是你最先想到的，但天然丝线制成的物件仍令人惊奇。在成都市新都区新繁镇的村落里，棕叶条制成的物件精美而多样，点缀着人们的日常生活。
　　在逾两百年的历史中，新繁棕编艺术已发展出七个品类，包括鞋、帽、手袋，甚至椅垫，颜色多达几十种。此外，新繁棕编因用途不同而风格各异，从精致到简约，从纯净到质朴都有。其奥妙在于针对不同用途发展出的编织技法，椒眼编织能形成规整图案，密织工艺则适用于扇子与鞋履，而人字编织则常用于制作精美的帽子与垫席。
　　这些技艺的背后，是世代相传、技艺精湛的匠人们。每年四月，他们采集棕叶，将其加工成纤维，捻成绳索，再经过蒸煮、漂白和晒干等工序。待材料备齐后，经过一系列令人惊叹的操作之后，栩栩如生的蚱蜢等物件，便出现在匠人的掌中，令人称奇。新繁棕编不仅因精湛的技艺受到认可，也因匠人们的智慧与品味而备受推崇。
　　(指导教师：成都树德中学宁夏校区 钟焜)