Introduction
Costumes are reflective of the salient cultural traits of a people, as well as its history, in a small but complete way, and it is particularly so in the cases of ethnic minorities. Located in the southwestern part of China, Guizhou is a mountainous province, and its landscapes are varied. For hundreds of years many different nationalities have come to inhabit and cultivate the land, and have through generations and generations of uninterrupted cultural assimilation created their distinctively stunning costumes. The exhibition comprises three sections: "Emblems of Ethnicity – Costumes and Accessories of the Ethnic Minorities of Guizhou," "Stunning Craftsmanship in Costumes and Accessories," and "The Historical Setting and Cultural Scenery of Guizhou." The first two sections introduce a splendid array of costumes and accessories worn by Guizhou's nationalities, as well as their lustrous and impressive techniques in dyeing, embroidering, weaving, and silversmithing, which highlight the wisdom and aesthetic tastes of these ethnic minorities. The third section features works from the Museum's collection, including the “Huangqing Zhigongtu” 皇清職貢圖 (Illustrations of Tribute Missions to the Imperial Qing), the “Xieben Miaomantu” 寫本苗蠻圖 (An Illustrated Album of the Miao Minority), and a fine selection of historical maps, local gazetteers, palace memorials, and copies of palace memorials. All Guizhou-related, these materials offer vivid descriptions of the general conditions and daily lives of the peoples in the region during the Qing dynasty.