A summer social practice team from the College of Plant Science & Technology at Huazhong Agricultural University (HZAU) held two immersive intangible cultural heritage (ICH) workshops in Jiangjunshan village, Shihua town, Gucheng county, Xiangyang, Hubei province, on July 15. Through hands-on sessions of plant pounding prints and traditional tie-dye, the volunteers guided local children as they experienced traditional crafts, breathing new life into ancient techniques with youthful creativity.

A volunteer demonstrates tie-dye techniques to children. [Photo/news.hzau.edu.cn]

In the village's summer childcare program, volunteer Peng Huina led a class on plant pounding prints. She began with interactive questions about summer impressions before introducing the concept of ICH. Using simple language and live demonstrations, she explained the process: selecting plant materials, arranging them, taping them onto fabric, and hammering them to create vivid natural prints. As children carefully chose leaves and petals, the rhythmic tapping of small hammers mixed with laughter, and each handmade print became a unique work of art.

Meanwhile, at the village's Children's Companion Home, volunteer Meng Xinyi conducted a session titled "Tie-Dye Art: Creativity from the Heart". After distributing kits containing fabric, dye, and tools, she guided the children through folding and tying techniques, followed by dye application. As colors spread, patterns resembling ice cracks and clouds emerged, transforming simple cloth into vibrant scarves and bookmarks.

"We hope to plant a seed of love for traditional culture in their hearts," Meng said. Peng noted that the children's focus and joy in creating their works is the very reason traditional culture needs to be preserved.