A Study On Dyeing Craft Of The Baiku Yao People In China

Baiku Yao has a long history and deep traditional culture. Dyeing techniques of Baiku Yao people are one of the Elements of traditional culture. It has played a major role in manufacturing the costumes and household items, Funeral supplies. But most of the research done to date has focused on the traditional costumes of Baiku Yao people and there is a lack of sufficient information on their dyeing techniques. The purpose of this study is to suggest a way that can contribute to the preservation and development of dyeing techniques of Baiku Yao people.Research methods include collection of literature for theoretical Study, fieldwork for empirical Study. I used literature review on dyeing techniques, dyeing pattern of Baiku Yao people for theoretical studyAnd I did fieldwork in January and March of 2015 for empirical Study. The study area has the largest number of Baiku Yao people and the length of residence is the longest. Traditional architecture, traditional culture, identity of Baiku Yao people, and the natural environment are preserved beautifully in this area.The subjects of the research were Baiku Yao people who reside in Nandan county, Guangxi province in China, and the data was gained through the process of observation, interview, taking photos, and note-taking to investigate dyeing materials, techniques, patterns, and efforts of Baiku Yao people for preserving their techniques.The conclusions of this study are as in the following.1. Baiku Yao people, an offshoot of the Yao minority group, dye fabrics with natural materials readily available in their surroundings. Their dyeing methods are dip dyeing method and resist dyeing method. They use madder and indigo plant as dye, and use cotton and silk felt to dyeing. Resist agents from plants are mainly used in their dyeing techniques which are similar methods to those used in Batik. The sources of resist agents are from Zhangao tree sap, the unique material used by Baiku Yao people. Their dyeing techniques consist of complicated procedures which require a lot of time and efforts, and these procedures are mostly completed by women.2. The patterns represented on the costume of Baiku Yao people are Line pattern, ‘King Yao’s seal pattern, Lightening pattern, Cock pattern, Man pattern, Sword pattern, Pan-Chang pattern, and Bird pattern, etc. These patterns have reflected cultural heritage of Baiku Yao peole. The Dyeing pattern of Baiku Yao people originated in reverence for nature, totemism, ancestor worship. There are many stories, myths, and legends about that. In this regard, the patterns displayed on the costumes of Baiku Yao people hold a cultural anthropological significance.3. The influence of modernization on the lives of Baiku Yao people extends to the maintenance and succession of their dyeing techniques. Thus, various approaches should be taken into account to ensure the preservation and promotion of their dyeing techniques. Cultural products can be utilized as one of possible approaches.4. My survey of Cultural products of Baiku Yao people showed that need to expand cultural product line and improve the design of the cultural product, and there is only a few cultural products that is using dyeing techniques of Baiku Yao people, need to develop that.This paper attempts to document detailed information on dyeing materials, tools, techniques, and patterns reflecting the tradition, religion, and lifestyles of Baiku Yao people, and propose cultural products which can arouse people’s interest, facilitate understanding and contribute to the preservation and development of their dyeing techniques.