An introduction to Li folk paper-cutting
The paper-cutting of the Li people in Hainan originated from the cultural exchanges with the Han people. With the gradual introduction of papermaking and paper-tying techniques, it promoted the development of local paper-cutting technology. Li paper-cutting is mainly used in the funeral customs of the Li people. It is recorded in Li Fang Zhi Li Qing in Volume 13 of "Yazhou Chronicles" written by Guangxu of the Qing Dynasty: "If you are poor, you will have tea, and if you are rich, you will be doing eight. All the relatives will use cows and parchment paper lanterns to blow a memorial ceremony. Even though they are eating at the time, No regrets." The so-called "making eight" ceremony in the funeral customs of the Li people is held on the eve of the funeral. At that time, the decoration of the mourning hall and the memorial ceremony require a large number of paper sacrifices, such as mourning clothes, lanterns, paper houses, paper horses, and paper umbrellas. When people in the Ha dialect of the Li ethnic group "make eight sacrifices", relatives and friends send lanterns to the funeral. The more lanterns there are, the more honor the bereaved family has. The dazzling array of lanterns are hung in front of the mourning hall, with vivid paper-cut patterns for people to appreciate and comment on. This has prompted local artists to constantly strive for perfection in the production of lanterns and paper-cuts.
Paper umbrellas are also an important prop in Li people’s funeral rituals. On the way to the funeral, the bereaved familys daughter and the direct brothers daughter each hold a paper umbrella. The more paper umbrellas, the more honor the bereaved family has. These paper umbrellas are also decorated with paper cuts, creating a spectacular scene on the funeral procession. The coffin cover in the funeral ceremony of the Li people is also a showcase for displaying paper-cutting skills. The coffin cover, also known as the "dragon quilt" (Yazhou quilt), is made of blankets or paper covers. The five sides of the paper cover are all decorated with paper-cut patterns, showing scenes of life in heaven and earth and natural scenery, similar to the decorative paintings on the coffin supports of the Han people. The production of these paper-cuts requires artists to spend a lot of time rushing to make them, which has led to the emergence of some professional households specializing in funeral paper-cutting.
