Video: Cracking a tough walnut

Stepping into the courtyard of Erxat Ibrayim's walnut wood processing workshop in Bageqi town, a group of Uygur women sit at a long table polishing freshly carved walnut wood bowls that give off a faint, resinous scent.

Propped on a stand, a smartphone livestreams the scene to an unseen audience. Behind them, shelves stacked high with wooden pots, ladles, and trays form a textured backdrop.

Every few seconds, a message flashes across the screen, inquiring about the size and color of these walnut wood items. The Uygur women answer with enthusiastic voices, lifting each piece toward the lens.