Friday, March 29, 2024
24.3 C
Haikou

Bo’ao Forum for Asia (BFA) Agenda Overview

Discussions on investment, technology, and climate action at the Boao Forum for Asia 2024 Annual Conference. Agenda Overview: March 26-29

Hainan Free Trade Port Encouraged Industries Catalogue (2024 edition)

Everything you need to know about the Hainan Free Trade Port Encouraged Industries Catalogue (2024 edition)

Permanent Residence Identity Cards now Enable Simplified Business Registration...

Hainan Province pioneers using Permanent Residence Identity Cards for simplified business registration, fostering a more inviting investment climate

All tariffs removed from NZ dairy entering China from...

New Zealand said on Monday all its dairy products were now able to enter China duty-free as safeguard duties on milk powder ended on Dec. 31st

A day in the life of Wu Mingju: Coconut carving master in Old Town Haikou

This week we met with master coconut carver Mr Wu Mingju in Haikou to learn more about his daily life and coconut carving.

Mr Wu comes from Long Qiao town, Haikou city.

At quite a young age Mr Wu began to learn traditional style Chinese paintings, he was first influenced to take up the brush by one of his father’s friends.

When he was 16 years old, each morning as he would walk to high school he would pass a coconut carving workshop.

One day, out of curiosity he went inside for a look. It was the first time he saw carvings made from coconut shells.

He met with one of the coconut carvers who was kind enough to allow him to borrow two carving knives and a coconut shell to take back home.

When he arrived home, he drew a Kylin (Chinese dragon) on the coconut shell and then carved it into the shell using the knives.

An intricate coconut carving by Mr Wu

The next day, Wu brought his finished carving back to the workshop, the master was very surprised at his first attempt and decided to teach Wu the art of coconut carving.

Wu has now been practicing the art of coconut shell carving for more than 20 years.

He has opened exhibition shop in Qilou Old Street in Haikou, where he displays his works.

Wu mainly carves museum collections, high-end gifts (coconut shell vases), and custom made to order designs. He hopes to use modern technology to explore new innovations.

He told us that “every work has different material requirements, the older coconut shells will be darker in color and harder in texture, more tender shells will be lighter”.

The fine details of Mr. Wu’s coconut carvings

Older coconut shells are more commonly used amongst carvers. The density of older shells is much higher and easier for carving. If you take care of the coconut carving properly, it will last for a long time.

Today, there are coconut shell carvings from the Ming and Qing Dynasties housed in the Imperial Palace, Beijing.

It takes around 3- 4 hours to make a simple carving such as a small pendant. If it is only made by hand with a carving knife, it will take a little longer.

Wu holds a couple of free training seminars in the shop each year, mainly to teach the theory and practical operations of production.

The classes only last for a few hours but they are a good insight into the world of coconut carving.

Coconut Carver
From fruit to final product

”I hope to keep this tradition alive. If I meet students who are dedicated to learning the skill of carving and maintaining the tradition, I am happy to teach one-on-one.” Wu Mingju said.

Related article: A day in the life of Gary: Expert in Kong Fu and performance and director at Haikou Movie Town

Tropicalhainan.com launched it’s official mini programme and WeChat account, scan the Qr code to keep up to date with news, sports, entertainment, travel, opinion and more.

Mini programme ad for middle of articles

Latest properties for rent

Two bedroom apartment-rental lease transfer

Room 301, Building 9, Hongdao Garden, No. 352 Yehai Avenue, Chengxi Town 海南省海口市龙华区城西镇椰海大道352号港岛花园9栋301房
2
Bedrooms
1
Bathrooms
80.57 m2
Living area
¥2700

Romantic Turkey Halal Restaurant

Experience the Essence of Turkey at Romantic Turkey Halal Restaurant!Step into a culinary haven where the heart of Turkey comes alive on your plate. At Romantic Turkey, we offer a menu that reflects the...

Middle, primary school & Kg teachers needed – Sanya, Hainan – Aug 2024

Experience the best of both worlds - a fulfilling teaching career and an idyllic island lifestyle. Join our international school in Hainan this August...

UNIVERSITY LECTURER IN EARLY EDUCATION HAINAN

For this subject, we have several courses that require face-to-face teaching by a foreign teacher, with no more than 20 hours of teaching per...

Primary Homeroom Teacher Hainan Campus

The goal of Haidian Foreign Language Academy is to develop students that have the skills to be successful in both a Chinese and Western...

Related articles:

The “Art of Sand & Fire”, Hainan Museum Silk Road, Ancient Glass Exhibition

Glass making, the “Art of Sand and Fire”, is thought to have first originated in Mesopotamia, which roughly corresponds to modern-day Iraq. The ancient Silk Road played an important role in the spread of the skills and techniques of glass making along with glass artifacts, as it was a major trade route that connected the East and West for centuries.

Discover Hainan Opera

Hainan opera is an integral part of Hainan culture. Its origins, when it began and how it developed however are a little unclear. What is known for sure is that it has been a part of Hainan Island culture going back for at least three hundred years.

The Life and Legacy of Su Dongpo, Poet, Politician and Exile

Su Dongpo, also known as Su Shi (1037-1101), was a renowned scholar, poet, and government official from the Northern Song dynasty (960-1127) in China. He lived during a time of political instability and cultural flourishing and is remembered for his wit, wisdom, and literary talent.

Who was Li Shizhen, barefoot doctor and father of traditional Chinese Medicine?

Li Shizhen was a medical doctor, who spent 27 years scouring the Chinese countryside for natural remedies, classifying them and compiling them into the Bencao Gangmu

Get weekly email updates for new articles published!

Haikou
overcast clouds
24.3 ° C
24.3 °
24.3 °
86 %
1.9kmh
100 %
Thu
24 °
Fri
29 °
Sat
32 °
Sun
34 °
Mon
35 °

Cosy Stays Beyond the Ordinary

Relax, Unwind, and Explore Hainan's Hidden Gems

Romantic Turkey Halal Restaurant

Experience the Essence of Turkey at Romantic Turkey Halal Restaurant!Step into a culinary haven where the heart of Turkey comes alive on your plate....

Iron Hand Coffee

At Iron Hand Coffee, we specialize in both specialty blends and classic black or white coffee—all at prices that won't break the bank. Our...

Golden Platter’s Culinary Lab Hainan Cuisine

If you're looking for a new modern take on Hainan cuisine, Golden Platter's Culinary Lab is well worth a visit. You can order straight from...
spot_img

Bored? Need to get out more?

Latest News ...

China-Thailand Visa Exemption Agreement Takes Effect: Visa-Free Travel for Passport Holders

China-Thailand visa pact begins Mar 1st, allowing 30-day stays for passport holders, hassle-free journeys for closer ties

Fourth China Int’l Consumer Products Expo: Latest Developments and Key Highlights

The Fourth China International Consumer Products Expo is nearing 90% completion, as thousands of exhibits from almost 50 countries and regions are confirmed for participation.

Hainan Cuts Down Payment for First Time Home Buyers

Hainan Province has moved to cut down-payment ratio for first-time homebuyers, the latest region in the country to ease mortgage policies to boost slumping home sales.

Hainan Responds to Lunar New Year Travel Surge

As Lunar New Year travel surges, Hainan grapples with congestion. Increased flights and ferry services deployed to ease stranded tourists
spot_img

Looking for an international pre-school in Haikou?

Flora's International Preschool has three preschools in the Haikou area. Our schools follow a European curriculum

Continue Reading ...

The Porch Café Friday Special; Baked Beef Chimichangas

Introducing our Baked Beef Chimichangas – a tantalizing twist on traditional comfort food that's sure to become a family favourite! Tender, seasoned beef wrapped in a warm tortilla, baked to golden perfection, and served with all your favourite toppings. With each bite, you'll experience a burst of flavour reminiscent of home-cooked goodness.

Haikou Bay Performing Arts Centre Grand Theatre March Events

This March, immerse yourself in the timeless ballet composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky as well as the melodies of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Dmitri Shostakovich as their music comes to life on stage ...

Artists and Craftsmen International Exhibition – February 2024

Join us for a celebration of creativity at the Artists and Craftsmen International Exhibition, taking place on February 23-25, 2024, from 16:00 to 22:00 at Le Cape Shopping Mall.

Get weekly email updates for new articles published!

Never miss another important notice or event. Be informed of what you need to know, when you need to know it.