Research On The Traditional Costumes Of Qi Li-A Branch Of Li In Hainan

“Li” is one of Chinese minority races with a long history, and it is famous for its abundant customs as well as traditional culture. Qi Li is a branch of Li and has the second largest population. Its people are distributed within Wuzhishan City, Qiongzhong Li and Miaos’ Autonomous County as well as Baoting Li and Miaos’ Autonomous County. Due to the occlusive living environment and lifestyle since the past, Qi Li has preserved relatively complete traditional costumes, which are undoubtedly treasures of Li’s culture. The variety of clothing styles, rich adornment methods, profound patterns, unique weaving and embroidery skill of Qi Li’s traditional costumes, have demonstrated the richness in the historical foundation of Li’s culture.In this paper, the traditional costumes of Qi Li are analyzed from its cultural background, varieties in types and characteristics, textile skills, decorative esthetic appreciation,cultural connotation etc., based on field investigations and a combination of Li study results and ethnology research work. Through this research, the author has studied the relationship between the changes of costume and society and natural environment from different aspects. By studying into the present situations in the inheritance of Qi Li, a few suggestions are proposed on how to protect and inherit the tradition costumes and skills.