Clothing made of rainbow and silver. Guizhou minority costumes

The All-Russian Museum of Decorative, Applied and Folk Art expands the scope of its program “Traditions for the Future” by collaborating with foreign museums. China, with its living traditions of tangible and intangible heritage, rooted in a thousand-year history, is one of the museum’s priority partners.

At the exhibition "Clothes from the Rainbow and Silver" will be presented clothes and jewelry of small nationalities of Guizhou Province. Due to historical and cultural diversity and relative geographical isolation in Guizhou Province, many traditional costume varieties have been formed and preserved - more than 200 in total. 111 exhibits - costumes and silver accessories - from the Museum of Guizhou Province will be presented at the exhibition.

The costume is one of the most important manifestations of national identity. The clothes of the Guizhou peoples presented at the exhibition are bright, as if woven from a rainbow. A rich and complex ornament is applied to them using a variety of techniques: embroidery (both free and stencil), wax staining, silver decorative details are sewn on some especially formal costumes. Traditionally, costumes of the Guizhou peoples are sewn by women - and it may take several years to make clothes with especially complex decor.

The exposition includes silver jewelry of the Miao people. Miao girls living in villages near the Qinshuijiang and Dulujiang rivers on holidays supplement their outfits with many silver items: the weight of their costume can reach 10 kilograms.

Ethnographic material of the exhibition is complemented by photographs and videos representing the landscapes, customs and customs of Guizhou. The complex composition of the exhibition will allow you to experience the depth and splendor of traditional Chinese culture.

History reference

Guizhou Province in the south-west of China is a region with pristine natural landscapes and rich national color. The population of this region is 17 ethnic communities and 35 million people. The numerous peoples of Guizhou Province boast rich history and culture, which, coupled with relative geographical isolation, have contributed to the establishment of a unique artistic diversity of local folk art. It was most vividly embodied in folk clothes and jewelry. Such a large number of forms and styles, a wealth of decorative techniques can not often be found in costume culture. The national costumes of Guizhou Province carry a rich cultural content: the history and legends of each nation are reflected in them. This story is conveyed in the ornament, color, texture, the very structure and decorative elements of the costume.