references
Nuosu (Yi) Tunic, mid 20th century, Liangshan, Sichuan
A selected bibliography on arts and culture of southwest China:
GUIZHOU:
Bourzat, Catherine & Phillipe Fatin. Undiscovered China London, 2004. A beautifully photographed account of village life among minorities in Guizhou Province, mainly in the southeast.
Ma Zhengrong. Beishan Guiyang, 2002. An important work on baby carriers of Guizhou's minority ethnic groups.
Zeng Xianyang. Qianjing Gufeng- Guizhou's Hidden Civilization Beijing,1999. Zeng's photographic survey of Guizhou culture recorded between 1978 and 1984.
Zhang Xiaosong, Lu Xianyi. Symbols and Rituals- An Illustrated Introduction to the Civilizations of the Guizhou Mountains Guiyang, 2006. A monumental three volume richly illustrated survey of Guizhou history, culture and civilization.
The Folkloric Heritage of Anshun Tunpu Guiyang, 2002. A beautiful volume of Lu Xianyi's photographs illustrating the traditional Han culture of Anshun. The Tunpu people are descendents of Han soldiers dispatched to Guizhou from Anhui and Jiangxi during the early years of the Ming Dynasty. They have managed to preserve many aspects of their unique culture until the present day.
GUANGXI:
Guangxi Minzu Fengrong Yishu Four volume illustrated guide to minority textiles and baby carriers predominantly in Guangxi. Two volumes are concerned with baby carriers, the other two volumes illustrate costumes. An essential reference.
YUNNAN:
Zhang Songquan, Cream of Yunling- A Photo Odessey of Yunnan Ethnic Groups Yunnan, 1998.
The Clothes and Ornaments of Yunnan's Ethnic Groups Kunming, 2000. A general guide in a manageable size.
Selected Collections of Yunnan Nationality Museum Kunming, 1995. A useful reference guide of mostly contemporary items including textiles, jewelry and religious paraphernalia.
THE MIAO:
Corrigan, Gina. Miao Textiles From China London, 2001.
Smith, Ruth. Miao Embroidery from Southwest China Great Britain, 2005. This volume focuses on the technical aspects of Miao textile production using examples from the Gina Corrigan collection.
Miao Costumes of Southeast Guizhou- Illustrated Research Guide Taibei, 2000. An outstanding volume organized by geographical location, with good maps.
Clothing and Ornaments of China's Miao People Beijing, 1985. An older, but important reference work on Miao textiles, in English.
A Picture Album of China's Miao Costumes and Ornaments Guiyang, 2000. An important reference.
Zeng Xianyang. Miaozhuang Beijing, 1992 An early pictorial survey of Miao textiles by Guizhou's most famous photographer and textile collector.
THE YI:
Clothing and Ornaments of China's Yi People Beijing, 1990. An important work on Yi textiles, in English.
Zhongguo Yizu- The Chinese Yi Nationality Chengdu, 1999. A large photographic collection of Yi people from Guizhou, Guangxi, Yunnan and Sichuan focusing on textiles, architecture and material culture.
Yizu Meishu- The Art of the Yi People- Folk Arts and Crafts in Northwest Guizhou Guiyang, 1998. Rare softcover volume focusing on all aspects of Yi material culture and the history of the Yi in northwest Guizhou.
Art of the Yi People in Northwest Guizhou Guiyang, 1993. Well illustrated guide to Yi religious texts and documents. The only book of its type that I am aware of.
THE YAO:
Yaozu Fushi Nanning, 1985. A rare softcover illustrated guide to Yao costumes.
Pourret, Jess. The Yao Chicago, 2002. A landmark study of the Yao diaspora and their material culture across southern China and southeast Asia.
The Yao Nationality Nanning, 1990. Another difficult to find reference on Yao costumes of Guizhou, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hunan and Yunnan.
THE DONG:
The Folkloric Heritage of Dong Drum Towers Guiyang, 2002. An illustrated guide to Dong village architecture featuring the outstadning photography of Lu Xianyi.
Rossi, Gail. The Dong People of China- A Hidden Civilization Singapore. No date. A nice English language introduction to the Dong.
MASKS:
Zhongguo Shaoshu Minzu Mianju Yishu Beijing, 1999. Illustrated guide to Chinese minority masks with many examples from southwest China.
Nuoxi Mianju Yishu Guiyang, 1993. An important early guide to Guizhou Nuo masks.
Xue Ruolin. The Art of Chinese Ritual Masks Jiangxi, 1995. Important reference on Chinese masks with many examples from southwest China.
OTHER:
Costumes and Accessories of Chinese Minorities Taibei, 2001. Beautifully illustrated reference with many rare, early examples of Miao, Dong, Yi, Tujia and Yao textiles.
If you are interested in purchasing books on southwest Chinese textiles and culture a number of titles are available through this website. Please contact me for further information.
Click here to see an article I wrote about Pingtang County, Guizhou for the
July 2006 issue of Nanjing, China based Map Magazine.