80 Steps in the Making – the Connection between Baoan Waist Knife and Genghis Khan

The waist knife forging skills of the Bao’an ethnicity is a traditional craftmanship founded in the Bao’an Sala Prefecture of Gansu Province. In 2006, it was designated as a state-level intangible cultural heritage.

The history of knife forging dates back a long time ago, and the emergence of Bao’an Waist Knife is closely related to the military activities of the Yuan Dynasty, when Genghis Khan left some of his soldiers and craftsmen in Central Asia and Tongren of Qinghai during his expedition to the west in 1227. The Semu people and the local Mongolian, Chinese, Hui, Tibetan and Turkish people intermingled, forming gradually the Bao’an ethnic group. After migrating to the Dahejia area, the knife they made for self-defense became also a day-to-day commodity used in exchange trade for cattle, sheep and other daily necessities. From then on, the knife became closely linked to economic development.

Traditionally, there are 40 to 80 steps in the production of the knife, including forging, carving, hilt and sheath making. The beautiful shape and exquisite craftsmanship of the knife are loved by all ethnic groups. As a traditional handicraft handed down from generation to generation throughout the history of the Bao’an people, the art of knife forging has been passed down throughout the centuries and has now become a living icon of the Bao’an people.

Producer: Yang Gu Chief

Supervisor: Chen Jiandong, Song Leyong

Chief Planner: Che Jingwen, Jin Linghan

Script Writer: Yue Pei

Coordinator: Zhou Shuodi, Tao Yanyan, Yang Jingyi

Co-produced by: China Internet Development Foundation and GMW.cn