To those who are fascinated with beautiful things and folk art,
Hong Kong Heritage Museum's exhibition on traditional costumes and silver ornaments of China's ethnic minorities will be a not-to-be-missed event.
Entitled "Silver Art - Costumes of China's Ethnic Minorities," the exhibition features over 100 pieces of clothing and silver ornaments, including those of southern ethnic groups such as the Miao and the Zhuang, and those of northern ethnic groups such as the Mongol and the Uygur.
The collection, shifted temporarily from the National Costume Museum of
Beijing Institute of Clothing Technology for a 3-month show here since this Wednesday, provides a rare chance for
Hong Kong people to have a look at the ethnic costumes and ornaments, dazzling with their beauty and brilliance.
Visitors to the exhibition will find the designs of costumes on display are extraordinary and full of imagination. Dragon, phoenix,oxen butterfly, lion are commonly found in the costume patterns as auspicious symbols.
Silver ornaments also play an important part in the life of ethnic Chinese people as many minority ethnic groups believe that silver has the power to ward off evil spirits and that wearing silver ornaments represents the quest for fortune, peace and prosperity in life.
Experts said the display shows distinct differences between the costumes and ornaments of the northern ethnic peoples and those of the south.
The costumes and ornaments in northern China show the uniformity while those in the south show the variety, they said.
In northern China, garments tend to be full-length and ornaments lavish. The gowns are made mostly of fur, felt, woolen fabrics and brocade.
However, in the south, costumes and ornaments are infinitely varied in form and style, with a spectacular array of patterns, designs and decorations. Garments mainly include upper and lower parts, made primarily of cotton, hemp cloth, linen and ramie.
Visitor's eyes will also be caught by a very special costume, which is made of fish skin by the Hezhen people, who live in northeastern China.
The Hezhen people used skin of carp, chum salmon and pike as clothing materials. They must have been the only people in the world who used fish skin for this purpose. However, as the tribe developed, such costumes have became cultural relics.
China is home to 56 ethnic minorities, whose own characteristics and traditions are fully expressed in their unique costumes and ornaments with highly distinctive decorations.(Xinhua News Agency)(12/19/2001)
