Botanee Foundation Promotes Intangible Cultural Heritage and Makes Dreams Come True

I. Protect and inherit intangible cultural heritage

The long-standing and profound cultures of the Chinese nation, like dazzling stars, have shone across China for 5,000 years. Intangible cultural heritage (ICH) items are spiritual pillars passed down from generation to generation, influencing and inspiring generations of Chinese people, with eternal value. They are gems of the wisdom of the ancient Chinese people and treasures passed down and preserved from generation to generation.

It is the duty of the Chinese people to protect and inherit ICH and cultivate confidence in ethnic culture. On the morning of October 28, 2022, representatives of Yunnan Youth Development Foundation and Botanee Group visited three schools in Yulong Naxi Autonomous County, Lijiang City to investigate the implementation of ICH projects.

The Yulong Naxi Autonomous County is the birthplace of Dongba culture, with a long-standing history and unique "Sanduo" cultural heritage. To inherit and promote excellent traditional culture, Baima Complete Primary School in Huangshan Town, Baisha Complete Primary School in Baisha Town and Haidong Complete Primary School in Lashi Township have combined ICH with interest courses such as painting, vocal music, dance and handicraft. In this way, these schools have passed down ethnic culture while developing students' hobbies.

Inheritance of Dongba dance culture in Baima Complete Primary School

"Both local and non-local students are required to learn and inherit our Naxi culture. As the principal, I have been promoting the inheritance of Naxi culture for the past 12 years. I don't want the precious Naxi culture to disappear," He Qunli, Principal of Baima Complete Primary School, said. As the nearest school to the Baima Ancient Town, the Baima Complete Primary School solves the local problem of insufficient student accommodation capacity. The school has expanded its enrollment from 12 classes to more than 18 classes. Under the national policy of "easing students' pressure of homework and extracurricular tutoring, and strengthening management of students' homework, sleep, use of cellphones, extracurricular reading materials, and physical fitness", teachers have more time to lead more students to learn Naxi ethnic culture.

He Qunli showed representatives the paintings of students on cobblestones and plates, couplets in Dongba characters, paper horses handmade for sacrifice, century-old cultural corridor of the school, and Dongba dance performed only at major festivals.

He said: "It would be a pity if Dongba dance is lost. Students may not know what it represents now, but they will figure out its significance as long as they are interested in this dance. It's not about skills but the inheritance of ethnic culture and spirit."

Inheritance of Naxi language culture in Baisha Complete Primary School

At Baisha Complete Primary School, students performed Naxi dance during morning exercises instead of regular broadcast gymnastics. They sang the school song in Chinese and Naxi languages. In the music classroom, students played Naxi Pipa, Sugudu, Sanxian and other Naxi musical instruments. Principal He Chunlei said: "Most of these students have only learned instruments for two semesters. They are highly interested in Naxi instruments. The Botanee Foundation has improved their learning conditions and promoted the revitalization of ICH."

Principal He Chunlei requires all students to develop ICH-related hobbies such as painting, calligraphy and dancing. In this way, students can admire and inherit the splendid civilization of Naxi ethnic group, and carry forward the ethnic spirit. "The Naxi language is disappearing. Many words are rarely known, such as 'Tibet', 'Shanghai' and appellations used between people," he said with pity. The school has compiled a book on Naxi language and history for internal use. Principal He Chunlei stressed the need to inherit and protect the ethnic language, which is a gem of wisdom.

Inheritance of Naxi embroidery costume culture in Haidong Complete Primary School

At noon, students of Haidong Complete Primary School were waiting for nutritious meals from the urban area. In the classroom, students were embroidering carefully to inherit ICH with patterns. Principal Yuan Zhengxian said: "Students are embroidering a pattern called 'Under the Stars and Moon', which is usually used on Naxi costumes. I think intangible cultural heritage is the source of cultural confidence and national confidence." Naxi costumes, such as "seven-star shawl" and "pleated skirt", retain the development trace of Naxi's historic culture. Through embroidery, students are immersed in the profound background and vivid stories behind Naxi culture.

ICH bears the cultural gene of an ethnic group and reflects its spiritual quality. The best way to protect ICH is to inherit it and integrate it with modern culture, rather than housing them in museums.

The Haidong Complete Primary School has only 77 students and few teachers, making it difficult to carry out ICH courses. He Yuqiong, a teacher of ICH courses, said: "The Botanee Foundation has increased the possibility of long-term development of ICH courses. Our school will invest more resources to promote traditional Naxi culture."

II. Support the development of vocational and technical education

There is a school in Lijiang City that brings warmth to every student. Lijiang BN Vocational School is a public welfare vocational education school that exempts students from all fees. On the afternoon of October 28, 2022, the school held the 2022 Graduation and Opening Ceremony.

Since its establishment in July 2013, the school has provided free and quality vocational education to 564 teenagers from needy families through targeted assistance.

Adhering to the concept of "Education Illuminates Life", the school has grown with students and helped young people live better through vocational education. Adhering to the concept of "For Health and Beauty", Botanee Foundation, which focuses on biodiversity conservation, educational assistance, rural revitalization, disaster relief and other areas, has provided assistance for the school. "The goal of public welfare is to bring hope. We hope to promote public welfare with teachers, students and donors through the Hope Kitchen program. Let's overcome anxiety and restlessness with the school-running philosophy of being a happy ordinary person. Together with students, let's embrace this wonderful world with calmness and kindness," said Zhong Wei, Party Branch Secretary of Botanee Group and Director of the Office of the Secretary to the Chairman of Botanee Group.

After the ceremony, General Affairs Director Yang Caifen led representatives to visit the students' dormitories, which were probably the neatest and cleanest dormitories that visitors had ever seen. Yang said: "The students' dormitories are cleaned by themselves. As far as the eye can see, it must be spotlessly clean, which is also our requirement for them. We hope that they will always be strict with themselves and make contributions to society."

Later, teachers and students held an inauguration ceremony for "Botanee Hope Kitchen". At the ceremony, students praised the establishment of Hope Kitchen. Student Yang Yang said in an interview: "In the past, we ordered meals from outside school because we didn't have a cafeteria. Sometimes we could not dine in time due to class, cleaning and other reasons, and then the food became cold and unpalatable. Now, with our own cafeteria, we can enjoy hot meals every day. Even for students who are out of school, the cafeteria will keep meals for them and provide meal heating services at any time. The cafeteria has a hygienic environment and provides fresh and safe food." Xiong Xianglian, who has just entered school for two months, lives in Yongsheng County, Lijiang City, far away from the school. The food in the cafeteria reminds her of her parent's cooking. She said excitedly: "I'm looking forward to every delicious dish in the cafeteria. Now, we can enjoy something new, such as stewed chicken with mushrooms and mung bean soup. We are all grateful to the Botanee Foundation."

From "Hope Class of Senior High School Students", to "Hope Bathroom" and then to "Hope Kitchen", Botanee Foundation has made solid efforts in education assistance and talents cultivation, continuously accumulated strength for public welfare, and promoted sustainable development through public welfare. Let's help young people live better through public welfare! The Botanee Foundation's concept and practice of "For Health and Beauty" will be promoted to the entire socialist community.