The Social Construction Mechanisms of Traditional Crafts in Ethnic Border Areas: A Multidimensional Interaction Analysis of the Dali Tie-Dye Industry

Abstract

This study explores the social construction mechanisms of traditional crafts in ethnic border areas, using the tie-dye industry of the Bai ethnic group in Dali, Yunnan as a case study. Through a multidimensional interaction analysis framework, it examines the transformation pathways of traditional crafts in modern society. The research finds that the development of tie-dye craftsmanship in Zhoucheng Village, Dali embodies the interactive effects of four key elements: government policies, stakeholder networks, personal experiences, and media dissemination. Through in-depth analysis of typical cases including Shishen Tie-dye, Puzhen Tie-dye, Blue Continuation Workshop, and Duan’s Tie-dye, the study reveals differentiated development strategies adopted by various actors facing pressures of globalization, marketization, and cultural preservation: Shishen Tie-dye adheres to plant dyes and traditional production cycles, constructing “irreplicable authenticity” through seven generations of inheritance; Puzhen Tie-dye leverages intangible cultural heritage policies to obtain resource support, seeking dynamic equilibrium between traditional gene preservation and industrial scale expansion; the Blue Continuation model embeds tie-dye techniques into agricultural experiences and tourism narratives, achieving cultural-tourism-agriculture integrated ecosystem construction; Duan’s Tie-dye realizes modern transformation of traditional craftsmanship through functional design and integration of poetic-pictorial elements. The research demonstrates that the modern reconstruction of traditional crafts involves not only technological continuity but also requires establishing a three-dimensional synergy system of “policy instruments-market mechanisms-cultural identity,” transforming local knowledge into cross-cultural value currency in global contexts, ultimately achieving a cognitive paradigm revolution in civilizational dialogues beyond technological continuity propositions.