Danzhai Batik

Danzhai Batik

Danzhai Batik is recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

　　Danzhai Batik

　　Danzhai Batik is known as the “No.1 Eastern Dyeing Art.”

　　Wang Ayong, a batik artist from Paidiao Mountain Valley in Danzhai, has been invited to the United States twice to perform at venues including the White House, where she received high praise. Several of her batik works have been collected by the U.S. White House. She was also invited to a private dinner at the home of then-U.S. President Ronald Reagan. Today, Wang Ayong has built a house in the county town and runs a specialty shop called “No.1 Eastern Dyeing,” dedicated entirely to batik.

　　In her exclusive shop, we saw an enlarged photo of her posing with former U.S. President Ronald Reagan. On another wall, Wang Ayong’s batik pieces exude an antique charm with a strong rustic appeal. No wonder during her performance in the U.S., one of her batik paintings depicting the Miao legend of “Butterfly Mother laying twelve eggs, which hatched into twelve people, giving rise to the Miao people,” captivated the audience. When two colorful butterflies fluttered gracefully across the fabric, clear and vivid, the foreign audience erupted into cheers.

　　Legend has it that in ancient times, a Miao girl accidentally spilled a pot of beeswax on a piece of white cloth while dyeing it. After washing, beautiful cracked white patterns appeared on the cloth. The clever girl realized that beeswax could resist dyeing. So she used beeswax to dot flowers, insects, and birds onto the white cloth, dyed it into floral fabric, and made clothes. When she wore this outfit at a lusheng performance field, it caused a sensation. Girls from all nearby villages came to learn from her. As this art spread widely, it gradually evolved into the art of batik.

　　The batik works made by Miao and Shui women in Danzhai County, which can be traced back to ancient times, mostly draw inspiration from natural elements such as flowers, insects, birds, fish, shrimp, and tribal totems like dragons and phoenixes. The designs are exaggerated and imaginative, commonly used for wall hangings, curtains, tablecloths, backpacks, and clothing. They are not only highly artistic but also very practical, making them excellent gifts for collection or for giving to family and friends.

　　Wang Ayong and Yang Fang are both batik masters from Paimo Miao Village. The batik art of Paidao, Paimo, and Yuanying in Wuwu Township are outstanding representatives of Danzhai’s batik heritage. The Miao people in Paimo Village preserve a complete bird totem tribe and continue the traditional craft of batik-making. Their batik works reflect the Miao people’s insights into nature, animals, and humanity, with various bird totems subtly depicted in unique patterns, shining brilliantly. CCTV recently filmed a feature titled “The Last Bird Totem Tribe” in Paimo. The “White-Collar Miao” people in Paimo and other areas excel in batik craftsmanship and combine traditional techniques with modern styles, producing works with a strong contemporary feel. Yang Fang, a batik artist from Paimo, has performed in places such as Hong Kong, where her works sold out rapidly and were highly popular. Yang Fang has now moved to Zhusha Village, where the township government is located, and opened a batik craft factory, aiming to promote and develop the Miao batik art.