(70 years of Tibet's peaceful liberation) The change in Tibetan clothing reflects a happy life
China News Agency, Lhasa, July 24th, title: The change of Tibetan clothing reflects a happy life
China News Agency reporter Ran Wenjuan
On Barkhor Street in the old city of Lhasa, a variety of Tibetan clothing shops constitute a splendid ethnic style.
The shoppers who buy Tibetan clothes include both locals and foreign tourists with different accents.
On the afternoon of the 22nd, Zhuoma, who has been operating a Tibetan clothing store for more than 10 years, welcomed "special" guests.
Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, President of the State and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, went to Tibet for investigation and research on the 21st.
On the afternoon of the 22nd, Xi Jinping walked to inspect the style and features of Barkhor Street, walked into specialty merchandise stores, and asked about the development of tourism, cultural and creative industries, and the protection of Tibetan cultural heritage.
The data picture shows the Tibetan traditional costume performance at the horse racing festival in Damxung County, Lhasa City, Tibet Autonomous Region.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Gongga Laisong
Dolma’s daughter, Tenzin Dolma, introduced that in the store, General Secretary Xi Jinping asked about the fabrics of Tibetan clothes, how to wear them, and the operation of the store.
She said that with the increase in tourists in recent years, her own Tibetan clothing has become very popular and business has become more and more prosperous.
Tibetan costumes, collectively called "Quba" in Tibetan, show the creativity and aesthetic appeal of the Tibetan people with their unique ethnic style. They were selected as national intangible cultural heritage in 2008.
It is not only known as the "historical book worn on the body", but it is also constantly changing and innovating with the development of the times.
The picture shows tourists wearing traditional Tibetan costumes and taking pictures at Barkhor Street in Lhasa on July 24.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Gongga Laisong
Li Mei, director of the Tibetan National Costume and Culture Research Institute, introduced to a reporter from China News Agency that traditional Tibetan clothing is typically characterized by a "wide fat waist, long-sleeved and long skirt". And coarse cloth mainly, the texture is thick and wide.
This design is closely related to the natural environment and climatic conditions of the plateau, and also focuses on the practical needs of people's production and life.
"When it's hot or working, you can expose your right arm or both arms as needed, tie your sleeves around your waist, and adjust your body temperature; sleep at night, untie your belt, take off your sleeves, cover half and half, like a sleeping bag." Li Mei said that this "one thing, multiple uses" design style is quite nomadic, and contains the simplicity of life in its ruggedness.
The picture shows several Tibetan women shopping for Tibetan clothes in a Tibetan clothes shop on Barkhor Street in the old city of Lhasa on July 24.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Gongga Laisong
Changes happen quietly in time.
According to Li Mei's observation, in recent years, Tibetan clothing has undergone tremendous changes in quality and quantity, and the Tibetan clothing market has also developed further in terms of standardization, volume, and innovation.
Intuitively, consumers have more choices.
In the lively Barkhor Street, there are a dazzling array of Tibetan clothing stores, ranging from mass consumption to high-end customization.
Silk, satin, linen and other materials are becoming more common.
Ancient Tibetan clothing has also been favored by more young people through style improvement and innovation.
"Traditional Tibetan clothing is complicated and lengthy. Today's young people prefer to wear clothing with diverse styles, convenient wear and Tibetan elements." Li Mei said, driven by consumer demand, the design, styles and materials of Tibetan clothing on the market It is becoming more and more popular, diversified and international.
"There are often designers who combine Tibetan pattern materials and styles with international brands for creation."
The change of aesthetic taste stems from the improvement of economic level.
Statistics show that in 2020, the per capita disposable income of urban and rural residents in Tibet will reach 41,156 yuan (RMB, the same below) and 14,598 yuan respectively.
The per capita consumption expenditure of residents was 13,225 yuan, of which the per capita consumption expenditure on clothing reached 1,137 yuan, accounting for 8.6% of the total expenditure.
Throughout the "13th Five-Year Plan" period, Tibetan residents' Engel coefficient continued to decline, and clothing consumption increased by 584 yuan.
The new generation of Tibetan designers is also pushing Tibetan clothing to a larger stage.
Born in Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, Ajanam is the owner of a Tibetan fashion brand and has chain stores in Lhasa, Qamdo, Chengdu and other places.
She also exhibited Tibetan clothing design at China International Fashion Week and was invited by the international fashion industry.
"Tibetan costumes in different regions have their own characteristics, and inherit the etiquette and culture of thousands of years. I hope to express it through my creation." Ajanam said that the younger generation of designers must understand the heritage and culture of Tibetan culture. The connotation must also combine tradition and fashion with an international vision and design solutions that conform to the aesthetics of modern people, so that Tibetan clothing can enter the daily lives of more people and become a window for people to understand Tibetan culture.
In recent years, with the development of tourism and the deepening of cultural exchanges among various ethnic groups, Tibetan clothing has gradually "out of the circle" and is no longer exclusive to the Tibetans.
On the streets of Lhasa, it is often wrong to judge a nation based on people's clothes.
Mr. Lin, a 27-year-old Cantonese, runs a Tibetan costume travel studio in Lhasa.
It is currently in the peak tourist season, and Mr. Lin is busy "from morning to night when he has no rest".
95% of the guests he serves are foreign tourists, and most of them are young women.
"Photography of Tibetan costumes has now become a'standard configuration' for many tourists to travel to Tibet." In Mr. Lin's view, Tibetan costumes are diverse in variety, rich in ethnic characteristics, and beautifully dressed.
This is also the most direct way for out-of-town tourists to experience Tibetan culture. A beautiful set of Tibetan costumes can leave unique memories for the journey.
In the past few years, tourists' love for Tibetan clothes has increased unabated, and the number of guests Mr. Lin has received has also increased.
According to his statistics, only in the vicinity of popular scenic spots in Lhasa, such as the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple, there are more than 100 stores offering Tibetan costume travel photography services, providing customers with diversified choices.
"Clothing creates a better life." Li Mei said, the change in Tibetan dress culture is a reflection of people's happy life.
She also believes that the development of Tibetan clothing will combine traditional culture and popular fashion, "each has its own beauty, and the beauty shares its beauty."
(Finish)