Minority Clothing from SW China
The traditional clothing of southwest China's minority people are distinguished by their elaborate embroidery work, fine wax resist batik, elegant brocading, and sturdy weavings of locally grown cotton and hemp and hand spun silk.
Some commercial cloth is also used as the foundation for festive garments but the material is frequently dyed with natural dyes or treated in other ways to produce extra sheen.
The work collected here are from Miao, Dong, Yi, Hani, and Yao minority people living in Guizhou, Guanxi, Hunan, and Yunnan Provinces of SW China.
Most of the items are between 30 and 80 years old, but some are more recent as traditional work is still being done. Work of the Miao, a large and varied ethnic group related to the H'mong of the Golden Triangle area of SE Asia, is the most predominate.
Click on the photos of the garments to see more detailed photos and additional information. More items will be added in the future.
JM48 Black Miao Woman's Jacket
JM21 Miao One-Hundred Bird Festival Coat
JM16 Miao Silk Embroidered Women's Jacket
JM13 Miao Split Silk Embroidered Jacket
JM12 Geyi Folded Silk Jacket
