In late April, as the snow melts in eastern Xizang, spring slowly arrives along the Lancang River. On April 12, our reporters visited Chagyab County, Qamdo City, Xizang Autonomous Region, and discovered an ancient craft that has been passed down for 16 centuries — Chagyab black pottery. Just a week ago, the annual intangible cultural heritage showcase was held here. Quzhu, the seventh-generation inheritor of Chagyab black pottery, and his students presented carved black pottery tea sets that received an order of 200 sets from a Lhasa merchant.

Once an everyday necessity for ancient people, Chagyab black pottery has now become an emblem of cultural heritage in eastern Xizang. Through continuous innovation and preservation, this dark, lustrous craft is bridging tradition and modernity, illuminating the future of rural revitalization.

Old traditions meet new ideas

The unique dark black color and smooth texture of Chagyab black pottery come from a special red clay found only in eastern Xizang, rich in iron and manganese. Quzhu explained that the process involves dozens of steps — from clay selection, kneading, shaping, trimming, drying, to firing — each requiring patience and skill. With his experienced hands, a lump of clay quickly takes the shape of a carved teacup. "We still need to trim, dry, and fire it. Every step must be carefully done to achieve a good result," he said.

Quzhu has faithfully passed down the techniques he learned from his master Chosphel, preserving the rounded lines and rustic charm of traditional Tibetan wares, while also making bold improvements. He combines traditional patterns like highland barley motifs and Tibetan calligraphy with modern aesthetics to create simpler designs that appeal to younger people. He has also developed practical items such as tea sets, storage jars, and desktop ornaments, bringing black pottery from decorative art into daily life.

Thanks to this balance of respecting tradition and embracing new ideas, Chagyab black pottery was listed as a county-level intangible cultural heritage in 2019, and upgraded to a municipal-level heritage of Qamdo in 2024 — marking a new phase in its systematic preservation.

A thriving industry benefits local communities

In 2019, Quzhu founded Chagyab County Mineral and Plant Pigments Co., transforming a scattered rural craft into an economic driver. Starting with a team of five, the company now employs 23 local residents, providing stable income without having to leave their homes.

Tashi, one of Quzhu’s first students, can now independently design and make complex black pottery tea sets, earning a stable monthly salary of around 5,000 yuan. "My income used to be unstable. Now life is getting better," he said.

These local artisans start with basic skills like sieving clay and mixing water, and within three to four months, they can produce simple black pottery items — transforming from novices to skilled craftsmen.

The growth of the black pottery industry has also created ripple effects. The clay and plant ash needed are sourced locally, boosting the income of surrounding farmers. Packaging and transportation have fostered partnerships with local businesses, forming a localized industrial chain of "raw material supply – production – sales." As Chagyab black pottery gains fame, more tourists are visiting, injecting new energy into local cultural tourism.

To encourage more young people to take up this ancient craft, Quzhu has offered free training in local primary and secondary schools as well as vocational schools. When students shape clay into beautiful pots, their faces light up with excitement and pride. "I used to think intangible cultural heritage was far away from us, but making black pottery is so much fun," many have said.

The development of Chagyab black pottery has benefited greatly from local government support. During the intangible cultural heritage application process, the Chagyab County Bureau of Culture and Tourism provided professional guidance, helping to improve the inheritance system and build platforms for exchange and exhibition. In the future, Chagyab County plans to create a black pottery intangible cultural heritage experience base, including a demonstration hall and workshops, forming a new model of cultural tourism that combines display, hands-on experience, and product sales.

Reporter: Yang Yuhang

Translator: Zhi Xinghua

Review: Phurbu Tsering, Drakpa Wangchen