Yunnan Mountain Handicraft Center
Location: Shangri-la (Xianggelila), China
Mission Statement
Shangri La Handicraft Center is a non-profit, community based organization founded to promote projects which support local cultural heritage, handicrafts and eco-tourism in Diqing Prefecture, Yunnan. The Center facilitates handicraft development, cultural heritage preservation, poverty alleviation, and sustainable development projects throughout the region, based on cooperation with local minority ethnic groups with support from the Hong Kong Federation for Women.
Shangri-La, known by the local Tibetans as Gyalthang, is a unique cultural enclave in Yunnan Province. While 85% of residents are ethnically Tibetan, the region is home to fifteen other ethnic groups, including the Liso, Dongba, Molimoso, and Yi people. Ecologically, the region is characterized by high-altitude wetlands, snowcapped mountains, and broad grasslands, proving habitat to a number of unique plants and rare animals. Our organization aims to preserve the distinctive culture of this region and advocate development that protects its fragile ecology.
Our primary activity is to encourage the preservation and sustainable development of Yunnan’s colorful legacy of handicraft production, including wooden implements, leather goods, decorative architectural detail, pottery, silver jewelry, thankas, weaving and carpet making. Beyond craft development, our center holds gatherings to facilitate entrepreneurial projects, eco-tourism, and even plans for a regional nature-preserve. The center was opened in 2006, and has expanded its relationship with the local government and community in new ways every year.
Activities of Organisation
Over the last several years, the Yunnan Mountain Heritage Foundation has undertaken a number of projects to empower the local community and enhance communication and cooperation with numerous villages in the Dingqi region. Beginning with the October 2005 “Gathering of Friends of Diqing in Shangri-La” several projects to expand eco-tourism and handicraft production in Yunnan have been developed. The YMHF Shangri-la Handicraft Center, located in the old town, is now home to a Handicraft Shop, community library with 2500 volumes, numerous crafts training and development programs, and micro-enterprise training initiatives. The center attracts a steady stream of enthusiastic volunteers, who have been involved in teaching English to village women, and in 2008-09 donated their services to the Eastern Tibet Language Institute’s Youth Pre-Employment Training Program.
As a formal location, the YMHF’s Handicraft Center is able to host events and articulate with both the government and philanthropic organizations, which attracts positive attention towards culturally sustainable and empowering activities in the area. In January 2006, SHHC along with the Government of Diqing Prefecture hosted a workshop “Planning for Diqing National Park Network and Sustainable Tourism.” A small group of local government officials and international experts shared plans and thoughts on developing a strategy for the future growth in tourism by creating a national park in Shangri-La. The Women’s center also works with the Hong Kong Federation of Women to develop the center’s capacity as learning center, which can offer classes to local women to encourage them to retain and utilize traditional craft skills. Beyond cultural-educational initiatives, the Center’s activities benefit local craft-persons through income generating opportunities, like craft bazaars in Beijing and the on-site craft-store. The center has also been involved in the publication of materials which communicate the unique character of the region, including Shangri-La, A Photographic Essay, by Sahra Malik.
Consensus Community Perspective
From its inception, the Yunnan Mountain Heritage Foundation has embodied the ideals of the Himalayan Consensus; striving to preserve the unique heritage of mountain people, encourage environmentally conscious development, and facilitate community growth that resonates with traditional cultural expressions. The Handicraft Center’s emphasis on the education of women addresses one of the most important issues in rural areas, and by providing local crafts-persons with income-generating opportunities exemplifies the Himalayan Consensus principle of compassionate capitalism.
Contact Information
Address:
Yunnan Mountain Handicraft Center
1 Jinlong Jie, Shangri-la
Yunnan, China, 674400
Shangrila.Center@gmail.com
Website: Visit this community's website