| The Neiqiu Shenma(referred to as "Shenma")is a traditional art form of engraving and painting which is mainly spread in Neiqiu County,Xingtai City,Hebei province.The major processes are as follows: Firstly,the folk artists engrave and paint the outline of traditional Chinese immortals onto the wooden blocks,then the wooden blocks would be colored in five traditional colors(cyan,white,red,black,yellow),the next step is putting white or light pink papers on top of the wooden blocks,brush and lift the paper to display the images.Normally it has large,medium and small sizes.“ Traditional Chinese Immortals”is the major object of the images.At present,there are more than 80 existing styles,each style contains a variety of versions,with over 400 categories in total.Shenma is closely linked to daily production and living through various folk activities,including purchasing,posting,and worship customs.With its social functions,such as praying and enlightenment,it plays an important role in enhancing the sense of cultural identity for the community people and strengthening the cohesion of the community.This ICH element has been listed in the Hebei provincial List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2006.As an ICH practitioner of Shenma,the author realizes the importance and significance of its transmission and promotion among communities,groups,and individuals,and also feeling the current risks and potential threats to its viability.Due to development and changes in since,technology,urbanization and life-style,the element is experiencing different environment and principles in its practice,transmission and promotion.Plus,the intersection and integration of cultural diversity is constantly impacting on people’s understanding for traditional customs.Especially for the younger generation,the youth are tend to lose their options when experiencing diverse cultural options,their recognition has been imperceptibly weakened.Thus,the methods of ensuring its viability through creation and deconstruction on Shenma and its social &aesthetic value under the context of Intangible Cultural Heritage is a question worth pondering.Therefore,based on the knowledge of Intangible Cultural Heritage safeguarding and research methods of Anthropology,Communication Studies,Sociology and Creative Industry,etc.,this paper explores the safeguarding features and development of Shenma.The paper studies the historical development and current situation of Shenma through the structure and reconstruction of the multiple functions from its images and symbols on the basis of literature research and field investigation.Meanwhile,the paper analyzes issues in safeguarding of the element,also presents suggestions on building a scientific,ethical and logical path on the restructure work for its safeguarding,transmission and promotion in the modern society.This paper consists of four parts: Part One: Analysis on the historical origin and viability environment of Shenma;Part Two: Introduction on the structure,process,intangible value and functions of Shenma based on field studies;Part Three: Study on the influences and issues caused by the changes of production and life-style under the rural-urban transition.Part Four: Discuss the viable and sustainable path by restructure in the modern age. |
