Li Linquan - Representative Inheritor of Yi Costume-competition Festival Project in Yongren County, Chuxiong 

Li Linquan (李林全), born in 1946 in Zhiju Village (直苴村), Zhonghe Town (中和镇), Yongren County (永仁县), Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture (楚雄彝族自治州), Yunnan Province (云南省), is a core inheritor of the provincial-level intangible cultural heritage project known as the Zhiju Yi Ethnic Costume Festival (直苴彝族赛装节).

The Path of Transmission and His Cultural Role

Deep Roots in Zhiju Village

Growing up in the birthplace of the festival, Zhiju Village (直苴村), Li Linquan was immersed in its cultural atmosphere from an early age.

Master of Yi Traditional Costume Making

He not only teaches younger generations about the long history of the Costume Festival but is also a highly skilled artisan of Yi traditional attire. His expertise covers the entire process: spinning, weaving, dyeing, and embroidery. He is especially renowned for creating the Yi women’s ceremonial costume known as the “Flower Garment” (花衣服).

Cultural Guide and Mentor

As a cultural leader in his community, Li plays an active role in organizing and guiding the festival. He explains the festival’s meanings, demonstrates how to wear traditional costumes, and upholds the standards of Yi aesthetics, ensuring that the festival remains authentic and true to its roots.

The Unique Zhiju Yi Ethnic Costume Festival (直苴彝族赛装节)

Legendary Origins

According to legend, long ago two brothers fell in love with the same beautiful girl. To decide fairly, an elder asked them to compete in a costume contest on Zhiju Mountain (直苴山)—the one with the most splendid attire would win the girl’s hand.

This contest evolved into the Costume Festival, a tradition that has endured for more than 1,300 years, often called “the oldest rural fashion show in China.”

Festival Highlights

• Time: Every year on the 15th day of the first lunar month.

• Grand Gathering: Yi people of all ages gather in Zhiju Village (直苴村), dressed in handmade costumes.

• Dazzling Embroidery: From hats and jackets to aprons and trouser hems, young women display intricate embroidery filled with vibrant colors and symbolic patterns that reflect Yi cultural beliefs and aesthetics.

• Social Significance: Beyond costume display, the festival is also an important occasion for young men and women to express affection and seek partners.

Current Preservation and Transmission

Li Linquan generously passes his craftsmanship to family and villagers, ensuring that this ancient art of Yi costume-making and the festival tradition continues.

With support from the government and cultural institutions, the Zhiju Yi Costume Festival has grown from a local folk event into a nationally recognized cultural brand. Inheritors like Li Linquan stand as steadfast guardians of this living heritage, keeping one of the world’s most unique community fashion traditions alive.

✨ For visitors, experiencing the Zhiju Yi Costume Festival (直苴彝族赛装节) is more than watching a celebration—it is witnessing a living runway of heritage, artistry, and love stories told through dazzling embroidery.