• The Context of Hmong Batik Use
  • The Context of Hmong Batik Use
  • The Context of Hmong Batik Use
  • The Context of Hmong Batik Use

The Context of Hmong Batik Use

Batik appears not only frequently in the daily lives of the Hmongpeople but also plays a significant role in sacred ancestral worshipceremonies. Since the Hmong people do not have a written language,brocade, embroidery, and batik have become important mediums forcarrying the essence of Hmong culture.
  • The Context of Hmong Batik Use
  • The Context of Hmong Batik Use

Description

The Hmong people do not have their own written language. Instead, the arts of brocade, embroidery, and batik have become the primary mediums through which Hmong culture is passed down. These art forms appear frequently in the daily lives of the Hmong people, and every Hmong woman takes pride in mastering these skills, At the same time, these artworks play acrucial role in sacred ancestral worship ceremonies.

One of the most important ancestral festivals is the Guzang Festival, during which ritual items such as the "Guzang sail," "ox blanket," and "hundred-bird garment" are created using brocade,embroidery, and batik.

According to Aying, during the Guzang Festival in Baibei village, twelve ancestors are worshipped, and beneath each ancestor are seven teams of people, each team leading three oxen to the ox pond for the ceremony. Each chosen ox's owner must craft a ceremonial ox blanket, also known as an "ox cover."

These ox covers are often made using batik techniques, featuring intricately designed patterns of dragons, birds, fish, flowers, and butterflies. Aying explained that these palternswhether used in solemn ceremonies or in daily clothing, are chosen for their auspicious and life-affirming meanings.