Scarf of the Yao nationality

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The scarf of the Yao nationality, known as "帕" (pà, kerchief) and popular in Jinxiu, Guangxi province, was prevalent during the rein of Emperor Qianlong of Qing Dynasty. The rectangular 77cm*56cm scarf is made of hand-stitched brocade, covered with hand-stitched patterns against the background of black cloth, and decorated with 5cm-long tassels of black threads at two ends and 20cm-long tassels at four corners. The scarf mostly takes natural sceneries as the pattern. The framework consists of straight lines that form double-connected patterns and make a square. The octagonal flowers are called "big tree flower" (大树花) and "small tree flower" (小树花). Those arranged in a "八" shape are pine flowers. Centering on the big tree flower, the pine flowers separate the double-connected patterns of small tree flowers, the main flowers. At both ends of the scarf lie diamond patterns of hands of the Goddess of Mercy asymmetrically. There are varied stitches in embroidering the scarf, such as cross stitch, plain stitch and single-needle stitch. As to application of colors, there are two kinds. One employs white and khaki, and the color tones are harmonious, simple and unsophisticated; the other uses sharply contrasting colors, such as white, vermeil, bright pink, pastel green, grass green and ultramarine blue, which are lively and rich. When a girl is getting married, she will put a scarf over the small bamboo shelf on her head and put on the multi-colored wedding dress, which make her look more beautiful.

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Scarf of the Yao nationality

Charm of the Manchurians: on the foot or head?

Leisure clothes of the Shui ethnic group

Lahu ethnic group: dark complexion preferred

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