Miao women turn to embroidery for family income

The patterns of Miao embroidery are like living words, vividly depicting the legends, customs, and daily life scenes of the Miao people over thousands of years.

At a Miao embroidery skill inheritance base in Pingbian Miao autonomous county of Honghe Hani and Yi autonomous prefecture in Yunnan province, Tao Qiongli, one of the inheritors of Miao embroidery, teaches visitors and other Miao women the basic techniques of holding and using needles and pulling threads, so that they can learn and experience the excellent traditional culture and customs of the Miao people.

"Miao embroidery is divided into two branches, the single-color and multi-color. Single-color embroidery is simple and elegant, while multi-color embroidery is bright and lively,” said Tao.

Now, the Xiuli Fengxiang Miao Embroidery Factory founded by Tao not only produces clothing but also serves as a base for creative cultural products, tourism, and Miao embroidery experiences.

During her entrepreneurial journey, she has attracted over 300 embroiderers to join her team. "Promoting Miao embroidery can’t be done with sheer courage. I got support from a group of Miao sisters," said Tao Qiongli. She usually distributes threads to embroiderers in various villages, buys back embroidered pieces, and processes them into complete Miao products for sale.

Through embroidery, Miao embroiderers can earn about 2,500 yuan per month, allowing them to support themselves and their families right at their doorstep.

Tao now not only continues to make traditional Miao embroidery products but also ventures into other cultural creations, producing items ranging from small handbags to tissue boxes. The products are becoming more diverse, and the unique handicraft of Pingbian Miao has been sold to places such as Shanghai, Guangdong, and Laos.

Source: Yunnan News; trans-editing by Wang Yunya