Jingxi Zhuang Brocade

Jingxi Zhuang Brocade

　　Zhuang brocade is a traditional, practical handicraft of the Zhuang ethnic group. The brocade produced in Jingxi City was already well-known before the liberation. It is woven by hand on locally made wooden looms using undyed cotton yarn for the warp and dyed silk velvet for the weft. The resulting fabric is durable and sturdy, featuring distinctive color patterns and exquisite designs. Traditional motifs include: bordering geometric meander patterns, lotus flowers, peonies, butterfly patterns, cloud motifs, gourd patterns, water patterns, the “卍” (swastika) symbol, and double happiness signs. Before the liberation, it was woven manually by individuals at home, with only two types of products: quilt covers and baby carrier panels. After the liberation, due to the national policy promoting ethnic culture and the encouragement of traditional folk handicrafts, a Embroidery and Weaving Cooperative was established in 1956. In 1960, it was renamed the Zhuang Brocade Factory. Gradually, semi-automatic weaving machines were introduced, and workers were recruited and trained. The variety of products increased to include more than 10 types such as bed sheets, tablecloths, cushions, wall hangings, baby carriers, headscarves, shawls, and shoulder bags. The design patterns also expanded to include dozens of options such as roses, butterflies, pandas among bamboo, and ethnic lace borders. These products have been exhibited multiple times at national and regional ethnic handicraft exhibitions and have been exported to regions and countries including Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Japan, the United States, and Canada, where they have been highly favored by foreign buyers. In 1976, the ethnic woven brocade produced by the Jingxi Zhuang Brocade Factory won first prize for quality in the autonomous region. In 1989, the series of Zhuang brocade products was awarded the Guangxi Quality Prize for Minority Ethnic Products. In 2006, the Jingxi Zhuang brocade weaving technique was included in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection List. In 2009, the production of Zhuang brocade series products included 11,315 shoulder bags, 2,088 shawls, and 168 wall hangings. In 2010, the production increased to 28,900 shoulder bags, 6,830 shawls, and 120 wall hangings.