ChineseToday | A Tibetan woman's multifaceted journey
Source: Xinhua
Editor: huaxia
2025-10-10 21:55:16
CHENGDU, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Nenkasman, 40, hailing from Qiaoqi Tibetan Township in Baoxing County, Ya'an City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, has been leading a diverse life.
In 2007, Nenkasman and her husband started a family-run guesthouse and engaged in nature education. They led children participating in study tours onto pastures for hiking and bird-watching, collecting plants along the way to make specimens.
Nenkasman demonstrates yak wool spinning at her studio in Qiaoqi Tibetan Township of Baoxing County, Ya'an City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Oct. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)Nenkasman poses for a photo with her husband in front of their home in Qiaoqi Tibetan Township of Baoxing County, Ya'an City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Oct. 8, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)This photo shows Nenkasman's guesthouse in Qiaoqi Tibetan Township of Baoxing County, Ya'an City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Oct. 8, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)
Around a decade ago, Nenkasman began recording daily life and culture in her hometown with videos. During this process, she noticed that traditional skills once essential to local women -- yak wool spinning and Qiaoqi floral sash weaving -- were gradually fading as fewer people were willing to carry them on.
Nenkasman (1st R) shoots a video in a field in Jiajinshan Village of Qiaoqi Tibetan Township of Baoxing County, Ya'an City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Oct. 8, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)Nenkasman (L) instructs a tourist to experience the techniques of yak wool spinning at her studio in Qiaoqi Tibetan Township of Baoxing County, Ya'an City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Oct. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)Nenkasman (L) introduces the Qiaoqi floral sash weaving to a tourist at her studio in Qiaoqi Tibetan Township of Baoxing County, Ya'an City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Oct. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)
Determined to protect and pass on these techniques, she established a textile handmade studio in 2016, combining traditional craftsmanship with innovative design to produce backpacks, scarves, belts, and other handicrafts. She marketed these products through fairs and online sales. As orders increased, Nenkasman shared them with village women, enabling them to earn extra income during the off-season of farming. More than 50 women have since engaged in the part-time job under her guidance.
Nenkasman (L) introduces the procedure of yak wool spinning to a tourist at her studio in Qiaoqi Tibetan Township of Baoxing County, Ya'an City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Oct. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)Nenkasman (R) drinks tea with a tourist at her guesthouse in Qiaoqi Tibetan Township of Baoxing County, Ya'an City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Oct. 8, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)
Today, Nenkasman's studio is attracting growing numbers of schools and craft enthusiasts for visits and hands-on experiences. In her Tibetan guesthouse, the culture space she established is taking shape, welcoming more visitors.
Nenkasman prepares lunch for tourists at her guesthouse in Qiaoqi Tibetan Township of Baoxing County, Ya'an City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Oct. 8, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)Nenkasman (R) and Lu Juntang, a graduate student conducting a research here, decorate the culture space in Qiaoqi Tibetan Township of Baoxing County, Ya'an City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Oct. 8, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)■
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