Charming Intangible Cultural Heritage ① | Houjiaguan

Houjiaguan, or clay-molded monkey, is a handmade artwork that combines traditional art, facial makeup, clay sculptures, and fabric handicrafts. It originated in Nanyang City, Henan Province, during the late Qing Dynasty and has existed in the Central Plains for over 200 years. It is a toy in ancient times, symbolizing best wishes.

At 14, Wei Yimin learned how to make a "clay-molded monkey" from a folk artist. After retirement, he tried his best to inherit the endangered art. At present, the 96-year-old Wei Yimin is the only folk artist in China who has mastered the making and performance skills of Houjiaguan.

On June 26, 2009, Houjiaguan was included in the second batch of the Henan Provincial Intangible Cultural Heritage List by the People's Government of Henan Province.

　　Web editors: Shen Jianqi, Tong Lin