Linqing Hada

Linqing Hada

　　【Linqing Hada】 Hada is a type of silk fabric in varying widths, patterns, and lengths. It is an item used by Tibetans and some Mongolian

　　ethnic groups to express respect and congratulations during ceremonies such as welcoming or seeing off guests, giving gifts, paying homage to deities, and in everyday social interactions. The color of hada is predominantly white, along with

　　other colors such as red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and purple. Linqing Hada has long enjoyed a great reputation. Historically, it was exported as far as Nepal, Afghanistan, India, Mongolia, and various regions in China including Qinghai, Gansu, Xinjiang, and Ningxia. During the late Qing Dynasty and the Republican era, there were Linqing-operated hada shops in Ximopochang in Beijing.

　　During the anniversary celebration of the founding of the Tibet Autonomous Region, the State Ethnic Affairs Commission specially commissioned Linqing to produce hada.

　　Linqing Hada has a long history. There is a legend in Linqing that when Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty ascended the throne, the 0 Seventh Dalai Lama presented several hadas to the Qing Empire.

　　 In return, Emperor Qianlong ordered Linqing to weave hada, and to inscribe the words “Great Qing Empire” on them. Due to technical limitations at the time, only the characters “大清” (Great Qing)

　　were woven. It is said that the earliest person to weave hada in Linqing was a man known as “Guan Er Ye” from inside the West Gate. He pretended to be mute and learned the craft for 10 years at the Yao family workshop in Suzhou.

　　The owner, seeing his honesty and diligence, eventually taught him the technique of weaving hada. Later, he went to the south of the Yangtze River twice specifically to learn how to weave the eyes of Buddha images on hada,

　　and from then on the hada industry in Linqing gradually developed. According to the 1934 Linqing County Annals, during the early Qing Dynasty, the hada weaving industry was most prosperous, with over 700 weaving households (each having about one or two looms), seven or eight sizing workshops, more than 10 purchasing shops (silk stores that bought hada), and 5,000 weavers. At the time, people said the silk weaving trade in Linqing was so profitable it was like making a fortune every day—one loom could be worth an entire field of fertile land.

　　After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Linqing continued to produce hada, and samples were displayed for a long time at the “Sino-Soviet Friendship Exhibition Hall” (now called the Beijing Exhibition Hall). Xu Dianxiang, a veteran artisan who produced hada, attended the 1957 “Beijing Veterans Artisans Conference,” where he was received by the President of China.

　　Currently, the variety of Linqing Hada has increased to 23 types. Linqing Silk Factory has a dedicated workshop for hada production, producing 7,000 hadas annually,

　　which are sold to regions such as Tibet, Qinghai, Gansu, Inner Mongolia, and Xinjiang. In March 1988, factory representatives visited Panchen Erdini Qoigyijabu, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, in Beijing, who placed an order for 15,000 hadas at once. In addition, Linqing Arts and Crafts Silk Factory also produces hada.

　　 After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Linqing continued to produce hadas (Tibetan ceremonial scarves), with samples displayed for a long time at the “Sino-Soviet Friendship Exhibition Hall” (now known as the Beijing Exhibition Hall).

　　Xu Dianxiang, an experienced artisan who made hadas, attended the 1957 “Beijing Artisans Conference,” where he was received by the President of the country.

　　 Currently, the variety of hadas produced in Linqing has increased to 23 types. The Linqing Silk Factory has a dedicated workshop for hada production, weaving 7,000 hadas annually,

　　which are sold to regions such as Tibet, Qinghai, Gansu, Inner Mongolia, and Xinjiang. In March 1988, factory representatives visited Panchen

　　Erdeni Choskyi Gyaltsen in Beijing, who placed an order for 15,000 hadas in one go. In addition, the Linqing Arts and Crafts Silk Factory also produces hadas.