A birch bark box made by an Inner Mongolian people. [Photo/VCG]

Birch bark utensil

The tradition of making utensils out of birch barks still exists in Inner Mongolia and some parts of neighboring Heilongjiang province. Due to a shortage of pottery or ceramics in the past, some nomadic ethnic groups living in North China, such as Mengol, Oroqen, Daur, and Ewenki, used birch bark to make daily utensils.

Nomadic ethnic groups preferred to use birch bark utensils largely because they are portable, durable, waterproof, and resistant to corrosion.

There are four steps to making birch bark utensils: peeling the birch bark, soaking or boiling it in water until it softens, cutting and sewing and finally, decorating it with beautiful patterns.

As the living style of nomadic groups changed, birch bark utensils became less common. On the brink of disappearing all together, the traditional craft needs protection.