Yi embroidery is a vibrant and culturally rich art form that has captured the attention of people around the world. Known for its bold colors, intricate patterns, and deep cultural significance, Yi embroidery represents one of the most distinctive traditional crafts of the Yi ethnic group in China. Li Changzheng, General Manager of Shugu Yi Yi Embroidery Co., Ltd. in Dayao County, expressed her deep passion for this art form. She emphasized that the demand for Yi embroidery in both domestic and international markets is growing rapidly. However, despite this potential, she pointed out challenges such as limited funding and a lack of skilled management personnel, which have hindered broader market expansion.
Compared to the "Four Famous Embroideries" of China—such as Yue, Xiang, and Shu embroidery—Yi embroidery stands out with its use of red, yellow, and black as primary colors, symbolizing strength, vitality, and tradition. Its rugged techniques and vivid colors reflect the Yi people’s totem worship and cultural heritage. For a long time, Yi embroidery was mainly produced for personal or family use due to the remote mountainous living conditions of the Yi people. It wasn’t until recent years that commercial production began to take off.
In 2008, Li founded the "Long March Embroidery Workshop" in an ancient Yi town, and later established the Yiwu Embroidery Plant in Dayao County. This initiative integrated the entire industrial chain, from artistic inheritance and cultural display to promotion and sales. Today, the company is on a steady growth path, with over 1,000 women working at the factory during peak seasons. Each worker can earn more than 1,700 yuan per month, making embroidery a vital source of income for many local rural women.
However, Li also noted that the industry still faces challenges. Most Yi embroidery workshops are small-scale and managed informally, with limited professional leadership. Many artisans focus only on craftsmanship rather than business management, which hinders overall development. Despite these obstacles, she remains optimistic about the future of Yi embroidery. Her company, though relatively new, achieved annual sales of 50 million yuan last year, and she hopes to overcome financial and human resource constraints by participating in the upcoming "Financing Kunming - SME Project Matching Symposium."
In 2007, Li was invited to participate in a folk handicraft exhibition in Yunnan Province, where she was recommended to showcase Yi embroidery at the Smithsonian Festival of Folk Culture in the United States. There, it received widespread admiration from international audiences. This recognition greatly inspired her and reinforced her belief in the global potential of Yi embroidery.
Walking through the "Long March Embroidery Square" in the Yi town, reporters found a wide range of products: clothing, shoes, pendants, and various embroidered items. The footwear alone had 17 different patterns. A symbolic "epoch-making" sign hung on a pole, telling the story of the Yi people's origins, rise, and cultural preservation. The long version of the "Yi-style" depicts scenes of young men and women singing love songs, dancing, and enjoying life, creating a harmonious and lively image of Yi culture.
Li shared the Yi saying: "Walking will dance, talking will sing, knowing something will be embroidered." She hopes to further integrate Yi embroidery resources, helping more people escape poverty and promote the craft beyond Yunnan. As she continues her efforts, the world is slowly taking notice of the beauty and depth of Yi embroidery.
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