10 September 2012 (Day 5):

Today is Monday, the start of a new week. It also happens to be the day we start our Aircraft Propulsion System lectures. Although the content is interesting, it’s hard to stay awake when you have a lack of sleep from the previous night.

After our lesson, we had lunch at the school canteen before heading back to the classroom for an IS (Interdisciplinary Studies) lecture on the Chinese Minority Arts and Culture.

 

 

The lecturer gave a very detailed and fascinating account of how the Chinese minority Miao tribe started and also showed us their traditional costumes and sewing techniques. In the past, the mothers would sew elaborate embroidery on their children’s clothes. Animals such as lions and dragons were sewn on the hat or robes, in hopes of protecting the child from any harm. It is surprising to know that despite originating from the same tribe, the now separated groups of Miaoists have different styles of sewing, clothing and even types of patterns used.

Miao traditional dresses and accessories

 

As the lecturer ended her lesson, she told us about how times were changing and that the younger generations were seeking jobs away from their rural villages. In addition, they no longer sewed clothes for their children (Sewing such elaborate patterns on the clothes could take 3 years or more). Some sell their dresses away to foreigners for extra income but keep the one they find the most beautiful until the day they pass away. After which, the dress will be buried with them. As such, it is rare to find the Miao traditional costumes these days.

While I find it sad to know that such old traditions are dying, it is true that one must progress with the times so as to be able to support a family and keep a roof over one’s head. Sometimes, you just have to let go of the past so that you can concentrate on the future- your future.

In all, today’s lessons have been most interesting. I can’t wait to find out what we’ll learn tomorrow.

Thanks for reading and good night!

 

Best regards,

Marianne

Author’s Note:

Picture of the 6 girls is from http://www.topchinatravel.com/pic/china-guide/clothing/costumes-of-ethnic-minorities-2.jpg

Picture of the 2 ladies is from http://asian-japanese.org/bookpic/200912/200912914510.jpg