Current location:world >>
Young Woman Saving Traditional Dyeing Craft from Dying
world865People have gathered around
IntroductionContact Us HomeNewsHighlightACWF NewsSocietyWom ...
- Home
- News
- People
- In-depth
- ACWF
Young Woman Saving Traditional Dyeing Craft from Dying
August 17, 2022File photo taken on Oct. 25, 2019 shows Qi Hui (middle) purchasing hand-made embroidery from villagers in Yuntian Township, Dingxi City, northwest China's Gansu Province. [Xinhua/Lang Bingbing] |
LANZHOU, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) — In traditional Chinese medicine, herbs are often used to help treat illness. But in the hands of Qi Hui, the herbs can turn into works of art.
It is hard to believe that the beautiful colors of the wallets, scarves and handbags in Qi's studio are all dyed from herbs.
The 40-year-old inheritor of the time-honoured dyeing craft hails from Dingxi City, in northwest China's Gansu Province, where the craft with centuries-long history is now under county-level protection as a local intangible cultural heritage.
Dingxi boasts a myriad of herbal medicines. The local specialty, combined with China's tradition of hand-dyeing, leads to the birth of the old craft.
"When I was a child, my grandmother used to fork up the roots of plants grown in the mountains and then boil the roots to help dye clothing. I can still recall that lovely shade of orange of the clothing. I was captured by the charm of the traditional dyeing method," Qi said, adding that it was from her grandmother that she learnt ancient crafts including hand-dyeing, embroidery and paper cutting.
For Qi, dyeing with the help of natural herbs remains the most fascinating. "In modern society, it's common to use chemicals for dyeing. But the traditional way of extracting coloring pigments from herbs can be both fashionable and close to nature," said Qi.
The primitive method demands huge reserves of patience, as specific alkaline pigments must be boiled within an appropriate time period at around 20 degrees Celsius. "Even a one-minute nuance can result in the wrong color," Qi explained.
Such a perfect integration of the old craft and modern textiles soon won consumers' hearts. In 2016, with the support of the local government, Qi established her studio to produce more artwork using dyeing, embroidery and handbag making skills.
She also trained hundreds of rural women workers for free, hoping that their participation in the old tradition could help local women lead better lives. Wang Meier, a local villager, earned about 6,000 yuan (about 886 U.S. dollars) during her two-month training course in the studio.
"Young people are essential to the development of rural China. As a member of the young generation, I view devoting myself to the rural development cause as my long-term endeavor and commitment," Qi added.
In 2019, Qi registered a company to produce and sell handicrafts built upon the traditional dyeing method. More than 70 employees work in her company, including 60 casual workers who can embroider and dye clothing in their spare time without delaying daily farm work. The company has now received about 10,000 orders.
Qi is now head of Dingxi's intangible cultural heritage association. She plans to further explore the artistic value of the old dyeing craft.
"I hope that the traditional art could help spread traditional Chinese culture and allow more to be touched by its beauty. It's also my dream to help more women to earn a better life by their own hard work. The ancient craft can create way more value," Qi said.
(Source: Xinhua)
32.3KPlease understand that womenofchina.cn,a non-profit, information-communication website, cannot reach every writer before using articles and images. For copyright issues, please contact us by emailing: [email protected]. The articles published and opinions expressed on this website represent the opinions of writers and are not necessarily shared by womenofchina.cn.
Comments
Magazines
Projects
- 2023 Women Science and Technology Innovation Pioneer...
Photos
- People Enjoy Blooming Tulips in Jinan, East...
- Flowers Bloom Across China in Spring
Special Coverage
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“International Iterations news portal”。http://www.videocameralive.com/content-6d399924.html
Related articles
China ready to strengthen high
worldChina is willing to strengthen high-level exchanges with France, give play to the leading role of he ...
【world】
Read moreSullinger leads Shenzhen past Beijing in CBA playoffs
worldJared Sullinger scored 33 points and grabbed 20 rebounds as the Shenzhen Aviators edged the Beijing ...
【world】
Read moreNyingchi greets peach blossoms
world(Ecns.cn) 14:10, April 01, 2024Breathtaking scenery of peach blossoms in Nyingchi, southwest China's ...
【world】
Read more
Popular articles
Latest articles
Foreign diplomats impressed by traditional culture, high
Pic story of cultural relics guardian at Faxing Temple in N China
2 mln private vehicles pass through Hong Kong
Prince Harry in legal setback about security protection in UK
Egyptian, Chinese students mark UN Chinese Language Day in Cairo
Juventus back on form with 1
LINKS
- Xi Jinping Visits Ancient Shudao in China's Sichuan
- Thailand looks to woo 8 mln Chinese tourists
- New railway set to bolster connectivity, development
- Benitez's Dalian side held to draw by Shanghai Shenhua in Chinese Super League
- Xi Jinping's Selected Works Published in 7 Ethnic Minority Languages
- Chinese mainland travelers to Hong Kong airport will be exempted from entry permits
- Chinese gymnastics girls undertake first national team Olympic trial
- China updates train ticket purchasing for foreigners
- Chinese embassies, consulates to offer temporary visa discounts
- Disney to open first Zootopia