Feng Qinyin –  Inheritor of Dai Textile Craft in Yuanjiang County, Yuxi 

Feng Qinyin is a dedicated guardian of the Dai ethnic textile tradition in Dashuiping Township (大水平乡), renowned for preserving the intricate weaving techniques unique to the local Dai community. The Dai textiles of Yuanjiang County, characterized by vibrant patterns and natural dyeing methods, hold significant cultural and historical value in Yunnan’s multicultural landscape.

Background: Dai Textile Culture in Dashuiping Township

Cultural Heritage

• The Dai people in Yuanjiang County have practiced handloom weaving for centuries, producing fabrics for daily wear, religious rituals, and festivals.
• Techniques include backstrap loom weaving, cotton-spinning, and the use of plant-based dyes (e.g., indigo, turmeric).

Unique Features

• Patterns: Geometric motifs, floral designs, and symbolic imagery (e.g., elephants, peacocks) reflecting Dai cosmology.
• Functionality: Textiles serve practical purposes (clothing, bedding) and ceremonial roles (wedding dowries, temple offerings).

Feng Qinyin’s Role and Contributions

Preservation of Techniques

• Teaching Workshops: Trains younger generations in traditional spinning, dyeing, and weaving methods.
• Documentation: Collaborates with researchers to record endangered patterns and dye recipes.

Cultural Promotion

• Exhibitions: Showcases Dai textiles at events like the Yunnan Ethnic Cultural Festival and Yuanjiang’s “Huadeng Festival (花灯节)”.
• Innovation: Integrates modern designs into traditional fabrics to appeal to contemporary markets while retaining cultural authenticity.

Community Impact

• Empowers local women through textile cooperatives, combining cultural preservation with economic opportunities.

Key Characteristics of Dashuiping Dai Textiles

Materials and Tools

• Fibers: Locally grown cotton and silk.
• Looms: Traditional waist looms (腰机) and bamboo tools.

Signature Products

Dai Skirts (筒裙):

• Handwoven skirts with horizontal stripes, symbolizing water and fertility.

Sacred Cloths (佛幡):

• Used in Buddhist rituals, embroidered with lotus and flame motifs.

Dyeing Techniques

• Indigo Batik: Resist-dyeing using beeswax and indigo, creating layered blue-and-white patterns.
• Natural Pigments: Extracted from plants like Lithocarpus leaves (brown) and sappanwood (red).

Challenges and Initiatives

Current Issues

• Declining interest among youth due to labor-intensive processes.
• Competition from machine-made textiles.

Feng Qinyin’s Solutions

• Partners with schools to introduce weaving into extracurricular programs.
• Develops eco-tourism experiences, allowing visitors to learn textile crafts in Dai villages.

How to Engage

• Visit: Attend the annual Dai Textile Fair in Dashuiping Township (typically held in November).
• Support: Purchase authentic Dai textiles through cooperatives certified by Yuanjiang’s Cultural Bureau.
• Research: Access oral history records at the Yuxi Intangible Cultural Heritage Archive.

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