FEATURES OF THE NATIONAL BATIK OF THE WAISHU MIAO PEOPLE FROM THE GUIZHOU PROVINCE (CHINA)

Abstract

The article analyses Waishu Miao costume characteristics, revealing the place of batik in the culture of Waishu Miao and its artistic characteristics, summarising the history, cultural traditions, religious beliefs and other aspects of the Waishu Miao nationality compressed into batik patterns. The article presents an analysis of the batik fabric painting technique based on the materials from the history of traditional Chinese decorative and applied art. The batik of the Waishu Miao nationality from the Guizhou province (an offshoot of the Miao nationality) is a decorative part of the traditional costume, combining both practical and cultural functions. The author of the article describes Waishu Miao’s male and female clothes and gives basic information about decorative batik fabric painting. The author also analyses batik motifs, ornament themes, their compositions, and explaines the symbolic meaning of ancient decorative elements in geometric and natural patterns. The role of Waishu Miao women in the development and preservation of traditions and beliefs is emphasised.