Yu Zhaodi - Representative Inheritor of Lisu Ethnic Costume-making Skill Project in Longling County, Baoshan

Yu Zhaodi (余照娣), born in 1959, is a highly respected inheritor of the provincial-level intangible cultural heritage of Lisu costume-making techniques (傈僳族服饰制作技艺).
She comes from Huanglianhe Village (黄连河村), Pingda Township (平达乡), Longling County (龙陵县), Baoshan City (保山市), Yunnan Province (云南省).

From the age of 8, she began learning the art of costume-making and embroidery from her mother, Hu Yuxiu (胡玉秀). By 17, Yu had already mastered the complete set of techniques.

Exquisite Skill and Creative Innovation

Mastery of Traditional Craft

Yu Zhaodi is highly skilled in creating embroidery for the seven main components of Lisu costumes, each with distinctive colors and patterns. Her expertise shines in:

• Fine needlework

• Unique color selection

• Innovative pattern design

Blending Tradition with Innovation

While faithfully inheriting traditional Lisu embroidery motifs, she has also created more than a dozen new designs, infusing the costumes with fresh vitality while maintaining their authentic spirit.

Her costumes have been widely recognized—she once won the First Prize at the Yunnan Provincial Folk Costume Exhibition.

Dedicated Transmission and Promotion

Passing on the Art

Yu generously shares her skills without reservation. She has taught young women in her village and formally taken on seven apprentices, ensuring the craft’s continuity.

Establishing a Cooperative

In September 2018, with the support of local government and enterprises, Yu co-founded the Huanglianhe Ethnic Costume Cooperative (黄连河民族服饰专业合作社) with other Lisu women.
Through a “Company + Cooperative + Intangible Heritage + Employment” model, the cooperative:

• Develops creative cultural products with Lisu ethnic characteristics

• Brings traditional craftsmanship to the marketplace

• Helps local villagers increase income and improve livelihoods

Cultural Recognition and Influence

Yu Zhaodi’s work has attracted national attention. In 2019, CCTV-7’s program “Homeland” (《乡土》) filmed a special documentary titled “Old Craft, New Life: Lisu Costumes” (《老艺新生·傈僳族服饰》), which followed her story of transmission and featured two young university students apprenticing under her.

This documentary brought her craft to a national audience, raising awareness of this precious intangible cultural heritage.

Thanks to her remarkable contributions, Yu Zhaodi is widely regarded as a highly influential and representative inheritor within her community.