End of Summer Research & Recap

Dear all

On the behalf of Cybershamanism summer research team and CybershamanismHub Administration Team, I'm glad to announce our first official summer research is officially over. The research team have make unbelievable accomplishments and success on pacing on the first step on preserving Chumaxian. Each member and staff have altogether make this achievement. Let's handclap for ourselves!

In Week 4, we interviewed Mr. Zhang Shui Bo. He served as dean of Department of Tourism & Culture of the Xiuyan local government. As the government recognized Shamanic Paper Cutting descendent, he significantly improve the public image of Chumaxian. His relationship with Chumaxian started early in his life. Her mother run the paper cutting business to support Mr. Zhang's family. Although the technique was restricted to girls due to their inborn ability on decorated handworks, Mr. Zhang stood out from his siblings with his effort and intelligence.

Shamanic Paper Cutting is one of the most famous symbols of Xiuyan. Mr. Zhang presented his paper cutting on the 2018 Beijing Culture Forum, and won the first prize in the category of Northeastern China. His winning project is the following:

Shamanic Paper Cutting 1

This is the winning project. These two figures both have big bellies because ancient Chumaxian priests were mostly females who worshipped the God of Birth. The holes on the left figure are the willow leaves. In Northeastern China, people believe in ”Mother Willow“ (柳树妈妈). She breed their ancestors and become nutrients when she died, reflecting the animism belief. The crown in the left figure symbolized the worshipping of Sun god.

Mr. Zhang also encouraged mixing modern elements to the Shamanic Paper Cutting. He incorporated the Twelve Manchu Tales, governmental propagandas, and movie characters into paper cutting so that teenagers are interested and want to learn. He also used his income to teach paper cutting at local elementary and middle schools - a pioneer on cultural preservation.

It's already the end of the full month research. What have you learned?

Deparment of Media