Xiao Huiyu – Inheritor of Yi Ethnic Costume-making Skill in Eshan County, Yuxi

Personal Profile

Xiao Huiyu (肖会玉), a member of the Yi ethnic group, was born in 1954 in Dapengzu Village, Xiaojie Subdistrict (小街街道大棚租村), Eshan County (峨山县), Yunnan Province. From a young age, she learned traditional Yi papercutting and the art of making Huayao Yi (花腰彝) women’s costumes from elder women in her village.

In 1998, she was recognized as an inheritor of Yunnan Province’s intangible cultural heritage. In 1999, the Yunnan Provincial Department of Culture awarded her the title of “Ethnic Folk Art Artisan.” In 2010, she was officially named a provincial-level inheritor of the Yi costume intangible cultural heritage project.

She currently holds multiple titles: Master of Arts and Crafts of Yunnan Province (third session), Embroidery Master of Yunnan Province, Ethnic Folk Artisan, and Vice President of the Embroidery Association of Eshan Yi Autonomous County (峨山彝族自治县刺绣协会).

Inheritance and Innovation

Xiao Huiyu integrates her original designs into the patterns and color schemes of her papercutting and embroidery. Her works are well-received and are sold across Yunnan and beyond. The Huayao Yi costumes she creates are known for their meticulous embroidery, complex floral patterns, and vibrant saturated colors, with red as the dominant color, accented with black, green, blue, and white.

Not only does she make exquisite traditional Yi clothing herself, but she also actively promotes and passes down the culture of Yi costumes through various channels.

Methods of Cultural Transmission

Establishing an Inheritance Studio

With the support of the “Tufeng Plan” (土风计划) by Yunnan Province and the Yi Ethnic Huayao Costume Cultural Heritage Demonstration Village Project in Eshan County, Xiao Huiyu established a daily inheritance studio at her home. There, she teaches young members of her community the culture and embroidery techniques of the Huayao Yi.

Serving as an Instructor

She has taught in numerous training programs, including the Yi Ethnic Costume Heritage Training Program and folk papercutting classes in Eshan County. Through her guidance, many students with no prior experience have acquired embroidery skills.

Passionate About Inheritance

Dedicated to passing on her skills, Xiao Huiyu frequently travels to cities and counties to teach embroidery and papercutting. Her efforts have significantly contributed to the promotion of Yi culture.

Works and Honors

Xiao Huiyu has won multiple awards for her outstanding works. For instance:

• In 2012, her “Huayao Back Garment” (花腰背裳) won the Bronze Award at the 6th “Gongmei Cup” (工美杯) Fine Art Selection.
• In 2014, her “Yi Ethnic Huayao Women’s Costume” (彝族聂苏〈花腰〉妇女服饰) won the Silver Award at the 8th “Gongmei Cup.”
• In 2015, her “Huayao Waistband” (花腰围腰) won the Gold Award at the “Yuxi Cultural Expo – Gongmei Cup” Fine Art Selection.

Through her dedication, Xiao Huiyu has not only preserved the Yi costume-making tradition but also contributed significantly to the promotion and development of Yi culture.

Promoting Yi Ethnic Costume Culture Through Multiple Channels

1. Establishing an Inheritance Studio

Leveraging the Yunnan Province “Tufeng Plan” and the Yi Ethnic Huayao Costume Cultural Heritage Demonstration Village Project, Xiao Huiyu established the “Eshan County Yi Ethnic Costume (Huayao) Daily Inheritance Studio” (峨山县彝族服饰〈花腰〉日常传习所) in her home.

There, she trains young people in embroidery and costume culture. Her studio has nurtured a new generation of inheritors, creating a transmission network that spans elders, adults, youth, and children, as well as family-based and neighborhood-based embroidery heritage.

2. Serving as a Training Instructor

Xiao Huiyu has taught embroidery and papercutting in cities and counties across the region. She serves as an instructor in the Yi Costume Cultural Heritage Training Program and the Folk Papercutting Arts Training Program.

She also participates in the “Yi Embroidery in Schools” initiative, bringing traditional skills into the classroom and passing them on to the next generation.

3. Participating in Exhibitions and Cultural Exchanges

She regularly showcases her embroidery and costume works at expos and trade fairs. Her creations are widely appreciated within and outside the province.

Her award-winning works include:

• Bronze Award for “Huayao Back Garment” at the 6th “Gongmei Cup”
• Silver Award for “Yi Ethnic Huayao Women’s Costume” at the 8th “Gongmei Cup”
• Gold Award for “Huayao Waistband” at the “Yuxi Cultural Expo – Gongmei Cup”

4. Media Promotion and Publicity

Xiao Huiyu’s works and craftsmanship have received extensive media coverage through newspapers, magazines, websites, and television. Media outlets such as “Yi People Net” (《彝族人网》) and “Tencent News” (《腾讯新闻》) have featured her contributions to Yi embroidery and costume preservation, raising awareness and appreciation of her artistry.

5. Innovative Design and Product Development

By incorporating original design concepts and modern aesthetics into traditional papercutting and embroidery, Xiao Huiyu has created a diverse range of products. These include mobile phone cases, wallets, shoulder bags, laptop bags, and pillows, all infused with contemporary appeal.

This product diversification has significantly expanded the market reach for Yi ethnic crafts.

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