There is a talented basket-maker named Ma Fengqing living at Shihaoqu Village in Beidaqu County in Yanqi Hui Autonomous County of Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. He not only made up his happy life with a pair of skillful hands, but also took villagers to their good days with enthusiasm. During the Lantern festival in 2021, he made up new rose willow twig lanterns to celebrate the festival.

Ma Fengqing is able to use twigs of achnatherum splendens, willow,or poplar and so on to make baskets, ranging from dustpan or basket for feedstuff to needle baskets, flower basket, egg basket and fruit basket. All kinds of exquisite baskets attracted a lots of customers. In 2020, he earned about 40 thousand yuan by making baskets only. Ma Fengqing’s good craft also attracted some villagers who are willing to learn, and more than 200 people have successively visited him to learn skills. With no stinginess, MA Fengqing is dedicated to teach anyone who is willing to learn.

The lantern baskets he made in this lantern festival were made from rose willows he plants in his courtyard. Each time he only chopped with no harm on roots of the rose willows. Ma Fengqing made up five lantern baskets with different sizes to make lantern strings, symbolizing the prosperous and happy life now.

Ma Fengqing's little granddaughter plays under the lantern basket.

Ma Fengqing's lantern basket is tied with red ribbons.

Ma Fengqing’s lantern basket

Ma Fengqing’s little granddaughter shows baskets.

Ma Fengqing made up flower baskets to celebrate the lantern festival.

Every basket tells of a happy life.