Doing a solid job in the systematic protection of intangible cultural heritage will help meet the people's growing spiritual and cultural needs and promote cultural self-confidence and self-reliance. Jinxiu Yao Autonomous County is the "Yao Capital of the World", and Jinxiu Yao embroidery is a treasure of Yao culture, which is of great significance for the continuation of the cultural context; However, the advent of the era of informatization and science and technology has made the inheritance and development of Yao weaving and embroidery face difficulties. In response to the call of the country and the times, the Golden Embroidery Future Team of the School of Journalism and Communication, School of Liberal Arts, Guangxi Normal University, decided to focus on the inheritance status of Jinxiu Yao weaving and embroidery skills, conduct in-depth field research, understand the attitudes of different regions and different groups in Jinxiu Yao Autonomous County towards the inheritance and development of weaving and embroidery skills, analyze the difficulties faced by Yao weaving and embroidery skills, better excavate the cultural heritage of Yao weaving and embroidery, and explore the path of inheritance and development of Yao weaving and embroidery skills.
On the morning of January 13, 2024, the Golden Embroidery Future team visited the Yao Museum, deeply felt the unique artistic charm of weaving and embroidery, and learned about the long-standing history and culture of weaving and embroidery. More than 600 years ago, after the five major branches of the Yao nationality, such as Chashan Yao, Huabasket Yao, Ao Yao, Shanzi Yao and Panyao, migrated to the mountains in Jinxiu, in order to keep in mind the history and survival needs, they embroidered patterns representing the characteristics of their own ethnic groups on their national costumes, pendants and ornaments, as a sign to distinguish them from branches or foreign races and a flag of national self-identity. The embroidery pattern is generally in the most eye-catching and easy to wear parts of the garment, which can not only enhance the wear resistance of the garment, but also enhance the aesthetics of the garment. Subsequently, the team visited the Yao Cultural Center and learned about the constructive measures taken by the local Yao people for the inheritance and development of weaving and embroidery, for example, the local weaving and embroidery product exhibitions will be held from time to time; On important and special days, Yao talent shows are held, and performers are required to wear costumes with Yao embroidery patterns. On the afternoon of the 13th, the team members went to Yao Phoenix Co., Ltd. and visited Ms. Zhao Fengxiang, the inheritor of intangible cultural heritage weaving and embroidery. Ms. Zhao Fengxiang introduced the textile process of weaving and embroidery to the team members: handmade embroidery requires the embroiderer to conceive patterns and patterns by himself, and weave them with a needle and thread; The weaving and embroidery produced by the machine requires people to set up the pattern on the machine first, program it, and then the machine completes the embroidery process. Subsequently, Ms. Zhao Fengxiang personally carried out a manual embroidery demonstration for the team members to learn, and with the exquisite weaving of patterns, the team members were also able to appreciate the exquisite weaving and embroidery skills. In addition, during the investigation, the Jinxiu Future team randomly interviewed three local villagers to understand the attitude of the local people of Jinxiu towards the inheritance and development of weaving and embroidery skills, and the villagers told the team members about the history and current situation of local weaving and embroidery, and expressed an optimistic and positive attitude towards the inheritance and development of weaving and embroidery skills.
The picture shows the team members interviewing Ms. Zhao Fengxiang. Photo by Zhang Ting.
On January 14th, the Jinxiu Future team went to Guzhan Yao Village, Jinxiu Town and Tongmu Town to conduct research. During the interview, the team members learned that the difficulties faced by weaving and embroidery mainly include less embroidery, long time-consuming, and high, so it is difficult to promote it on a large scale. Subsequently, Mr. Pang Yiman led the team members to visit the "Women's Brand" base. The base mainly provides a place for weaving and embroidery learning on weekdays, and Mr. Pang Yiman, the person in charge of the Yaofu family, will explain the knowledge of Yao embroidery in detail to the Yaofu women who come to learn, tell them the difference between the patterns between different branches, and guide more people to join the weaving and embroidery team. Under the introduction of the teacher, the team members learned that "weaving" and "embroidery" are two different production processes, and the patterns of weaving and embroidery can be made according to people's needs; At present, the base adopts the production technology of weaving and embroidery products combined with pure manual and machine production, which greatly improves the efficiency of weaving and embroidery.
The picture shows the team members interviewing Mr. Pang Yiman. Photo by Zhang Ting.
On January 15th, the Golden Embroidery Future team went to Liuduan Village, which coincided with the housewarming meeting held by Guangxi Jinxiu Yaoshan Mei's agricultural and sideline products, and the Yao people present were all dressed in unique and beautiful Yao clothes, which were embroidered with various embroidery patterns, so that the team members could more deeply feel the charm of Yao weaving and embroidery culture. Subsequently, the team members went to Xiaguchen Village for research.
The picture shows a group photo of the team members and the villagers of Xiaguchen Village. Photo by Yang Hongxin.
In the process of talking with the head of Xiaguchen Village, the team members found that ** and the village committee both attach importance to the inheritance of Yao weaving and embroidery. Although there are many elderly people in the village, when a major event is held, young people who have been working outside the village also come back to help with the work. The inheritance of Yao embroidery in the village is mainly family inheritance and master-apprentice inheritance, and children and young people use the vacation time to return to the village to learn weaving and embroidery skills from the older generation. But in recent years, fewer and fewer young people are willing to return to their villages and have time to study. In general, there is still a certain risk of loss of the weaving and embroidery inheritance in the village.
The picture shows the team members interviewing the head of Xiaguchen Village. Photo by Yang Hongxin.
On the morning of January 16th, the Golden Embroidery Future team went to Liuduan Yaozhai for research, and the team members exchanged views with the village chief of Liuduan Yaozhai on the topic of inheritance and development of Yao weaving and embroidery skills. During the conversation, the team members learned that the local primary school has opened an interest class for weaving and embroidery, and has taken relevant embroidery publicity measures.
The picture shows team members talking with the head of Liuduan Yaozhai Village. Photo by Zhang Ting.
On the afternoon of the 16th, the team members went to the Yao Cultural Center to interview Ye Mingfeng, director of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center. Director Ye pointed out that at present, ** and various relevant departments are taking various active and effective measures to protect Yao weaving and embroidery, including helping to build inheritance bases, giving financial support and other measures. Subsequently, the team members interviewed the staff of the youth activity center, and during the interview, the team members learned that the youth activity center had cooperated with some local schools to carry out embroidery activities, and the Yao embroidery will continue to be inherited and developed. When talking about the significance of the inheritance and development of Yao weaving and embroidery skills for rural revitalization, the staff said that the significance is very significant, on the one hand, Yao weaving and embroidery can attract tourists and drive the development of tourism; On the other hand, the Yao weaving and embroidery clothing industry will also further develop and grow, leading the villagers to get rich.
Through the four-day field research, the team members not only deeply felt the enthusiasm and simplicity of Jinxiu Yao folk customs, learned about the rich history of Yao embroidery, but more importantly, had a clearer understanding of the current situation of weaving and embroidery. The team members will make further analysis based on the situation and data of field research, and go deep into the plan suitable for the inheritance and development of Jinxiu Yao weaving and embroidery skills, continue the lifeblood of national embroidery skills, and strengthen the mission of cultural self-confidence.