The History of Horsetail embroidery
Centuries ago, the Shui ethnic group embarked on a challenging journey across towering mountains in search of a new home, marking the beginning of their remarkable and profound history. They deeply revered horses and associated them with ancestral respect and longing. Horsetail embroidery played a significant role in their rituals, funerals, and religious ceremonies. When an elder passed away, their horse would be laid to rest with them, while the horsetail was carefully preserved. Shui women skillfully transformed these horsetails into exquisite embroideries, symbolizing their affectionate remembrance of the departed. Over time, Horsetail embroidery became a cherished emblem of love and a precious gift for special occasions. Beyond its cultural significance, embroidering with horsetails also offered practical advantages. The coarse texture of horsetails ensured that the patterns maintained their shape, while the natural grease within them preserved the luster of the surrounding silk threads. These unique characteristics endowed horsetail embroideries with exceptional durability and resilience against decay, creating enduring and beautiful works of art.
Horsetail embroidery has witnessed significant progress in recent years, with notable advancements in colors, patterns, and techniques. For instance, the predominant hues of Horsetail embroidered baby-sitting straps have transitioned from the noble yellow of feudal society to the auspicious red, aligning with modern symbolism.
In the festive traditions of the Shui community, men engage in horse racing while women adorn themselves in exquisite Horsetail embroidered attire, adding to the enchanting allure of the occasion.
Timeline of Horsetail embroidery’s preservation and promotion
From the timeline below, we could observe the efforts of the Chinese government and local communities to cherish and promote the valuable craft :
2006
Horsetail embroidery was included in the first batch of China’s national intangible cultural heritage list, greatly promoting its preservation. In the same year, the first Horsetail embroidery art store in China was established.
2007
Wei Taohua, a renowned Horsetail embroidery craftsperson, was designated as the inheritor of ICH in Guizhou.
2010
Wei established her own business, Sandu Shui Autonomous County Taohua Horsetail embroidery Artwork Production Company. This led to the formation of a collaborative system involving enterprises, production bases, and individual craftspersons, enabling the development and production of a diverse range of Horsetail embroidery tourism products.
With the guidance and support of the local Party leadership and county government, Horsetail embroidery has gained widespread adoption in the production of tourism commodities, transforming it into a living work of art. This integration of Horsetail embroidery with tourism has not only showcased the cultural heritage but also created opportunities for economic development in the region.
Furthermore, to enhance the preservation and exhibition of Horsetail embroidery, the first-ever Horsetail embroidery Family Museum was inaugurated in Sandu County. This museum serves as a dedicated space to showcase the rich history and intricate craftsmanship of Horsetail embroidery, providing a platform for both locals and visitors to appreciate this unique art form.
2012
Wei Taohua and another leading craftsperson in Sandu, Song Shuixian, were designated as national level representative inheritors of Horsetail embroidery.
Through the collective efforts of the local government, skilled inheritors, passionate craftspersons, enterprises, and enthusiasts worldwide, Horsetail embroidery has experienced a gradual resurgence. In recent years, there has been a concerted promotion of Horsetail embroidery by the government and local communities through various means. Esteemed inheritors have established museums, conducted training programs, and engaged in commercial initiatives and international cultural exchanges, all backed by supportive government policies. To date, Horsetail embroidery boasts 2 national-level intangible cultural heritage inheritors, 5 provincial-level inheritors, 25 prefecture-level inheritors, and 400 county-level inheritors, reflecting its widespread recognition and preservation at various levels.
