Skip to main content Smithsonian Institution

Catalog Data

Creator:
Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage  Search this
Type:
YouTube Videos
Uploaded:
2020-04-14T23:37:36.000Z
Views:
2,240
Video Title:
Miao Embroidery
Description:
Miao embroidery is a distinctive art of the Miao people, who are one of the larger ethnic populations in China. They also live in neighboring countries as well as in the United States and Australia where they are more generally known as the Hmong. In China, they are mostly concentrated in Guizhou Province in the southwest where subgroups are identified by their dress and embroidery motifs, such as “Big Flower Miao” and “Small Flower Miao.” Because the Miao people do not have their own written language, their embroideries often take the role of documenting their history and culture. Their embroideries reflect their world view, values, history, religions, and the social changes they have experienced over the centuries. Working with silk and cotton thread, as well as with horsehair, embroiderers adorn cuffs, sleeves, collars, and tunic fronts with designs of mythical animals (dragons and phoenixes) and ordinary insects, fish, and flowers. Vibrant colors—such as scarlet, pink, purple, dark blue, and bottle green—are frequently used. Learn more about Miao embroidery: https://s.si.edu/2RGFJBo Editing: Jackson Harvey [Catalog No. CFV11265; © 2019 Smithsonian Institution]
Video Duration:
2 min 45 sec
YouTube Keywords:
culture music performance tradition folk language festival smithsonian "washington dc"
YouTube Category:
People & Blogs  Search this
Topic:
Cultural property  Search this
See more by:
smithsonianfolklife
Data Source:
Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage
YouTube Channel:
smithsonianfolklife
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:yt_wc9r-JYMmD4