Chinese Regional Minority Costumes

There are over 40 Chinese Regional Minority Costumes available from CTAC for educational use. These costumes are wonderful, colorful, and can add an exciting presentation to your chapter or region. What you will see here are a number of them that can be used for your activities. At the end of the list, you will see an order form and information on how to contact CTAC to get these. This is a long document with over 40 pictures so it will take a while to load.

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CONTACT PERSON:

Kitty Trescott

C-TAC

Center for Teaching about China

Center for Teaching About China
Kathleen Trescott
1214 W. Schwartz
Carbondale, IL 62901

Phone: 618-549-1555

Fax: 618-549-9766

E-mail: ctac@uscpfa.org

#11. Tibet (woman)

1. dress, silk, blue, long sleeveless
2. apron, multicolored with purple sashes
3. head band, pink, red, and yellow with red droplets
4. necklace, colored beads
5. blouse

This is the traditional clothing of a Tibetan woman. This particular outfit would be worn by a young lady for a special occasion such as Chinese New Year or Moon Festival, a family event, or a Tibetan day of celebration. There are many layers to this combination of pieces of clothing, but the most distinctive is the multicolored apron. Every young lady sews her own colorful apron before she is married. it is then worn for her wedding and at every special occasion thereafter.

The Tibetan Nationality live in the provinces of Tibet, Qinghai, Sichuan, Gansu, and Yunan. Their total population numbered about 3,870,000 in 1990. The Tibetan nationality is one of the largest minority groups living within China, most of whom reside in the western provinces. Their primary religion is Buddhism. The Panchan Lama and the Dalai Lama are their religious leaders. The living standards of the Tibetan people is said to have improved considerably since 1959. Unrest, however, continues. The Potala Palace in the heart of Lhasas was built in the 7th century by the ruler for his bride. She had been sent to the Tibetan ruler as a gift from the Tang Dynasty Court (now the city of Xi'an). Extensive reconstruction and renovation have restored the palace to its previous splendor. The grasslands in the surrounding area support the herds of horses, sheep, and yak. Some of these migrating Tibetans take folding looms with them and weave colorful fabric as they follow their herds from one pasture to another.

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The Yi nationality has a population of 5.5 million. They live in the provinces of Yunan, Guizhou, Guangxi, and Sichuan. They Yi have had their own language, both written and spoken. Their written language is an ancient language with which books were written on history, literature, astronomy, and medicine. Most of the Yi people are now farmers and herdsmen. There Torch Festival is held on the 24th day of the sixth lunar month. It lasts all night. Torches are lit. Fireworks are set off in the fields and orchards. The Yi people believe that the lights and noise will get rid of injurious insects and natural calamities and will send prayers for a good harvest. Another festival enjoyed by the Yi is celebrated on the 8th day of the second month of the lunar year. This is the Flower Festival.

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This group lives close to the water in Yunan Province.

1. Long garment, with white top and dark green skirt
2. sheer jacket, white, with gold trim
3. one pair black cotton shoes
4. necklace with rhinestones, pink droplets, red centers
5. a pair of earrings, silver
6. 2 Hairpieces of sequins, pearls, and fake jewels

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The Tujie Minority nationality now number nearly one million people. They live in the north central area of China. They are farmers, growing rice, corn, fruit, and beans. They cut timber for lumber and make a unique tea oil. They are known for their wonderful handicrafts. This costume is designed to be comfortable in their cool climate.

1. white long sleeved silk shirt
2. green lined vest
3. red sash for the waist
4. tan felt hat
5. (no trousers, man should wear his own)
6. picture
7. literature about Ningxie and Chinese minority nationalities,
8. placard "Tu".

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1. skirt
2. blouse
3. scarf
4. heddressl
5. shoes

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1. Long dress, pink chiffon with gold sequin trim
2. vest, deep pink with colorful trim
3. trousers, pink silk
4. pink scarf, sheer,
5. sandals, pink, cloth

These people are similar to Kazak. Language, clothing, and customs are quite the same. Both groups live in the same general region within China.

The Uygur Nationality live primarily in the Xinjiang Province of northwestern China. Their total is nearly 6 million in population (1990), making them one of the largest minority groups in China. Many Uygur people are Moslem. Even though most of these people no longer practice the Moslem faith, they still enjoy celebrating the festivals and holidays of that faith. The Uygur costume is worn for these special events and days of celebration. Most of the people are attractively tall and slender. The old Silk Road went through this now sparsely populated area. The people raise fruit and grow wheat, cotton and rice with the assistance of irrigation. They cultivate excellent grapes that are used both for eating and making wine.

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1. shirt - blue
2.blouse - pink
3.shoes

Gaoshan means "high mountain". The Gaoshan originally settled in the mountains of Taiwan. They were known to be fierce hunters, fighters, and capable farmers. About 300,000 Gaoshan live in either Taiwan or mainland China. Some of them now reside in Fujian Province along the southeast coast of China between Shanghai and Guangzhou. In ancient days they were dependable warriors.

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1. red vest, velvet with colorful trim
2. pink dress, chiffon, long sleeved
3. head scarf, light blue chiffon with black velvet cap and laces for tying on
4. shoes, blue cotton sandals
5. pants, pink silk
6. photo of girl wearing costume
7. placard "Tartar"

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1. gray pants, silk
2. white blouse
3. purple jacket
4. belt, black velvet with gold colored sequins
5. shoes, black cotton

The Jing Nationality is one of the smallest in China. There are only 5,000 known to be living in the Guangxi Province in south-central China.

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