Tube Skirt Bag

Tube Skirt Bag

　　The word "筒帕" comes from the Dai language, meaning a shoulder bag, commonly referred to as an ethnic bag. Ethnic groups in Yunnan such as the Dai, Yi, Hani, Jingpo, Wa, and Lisu all have the custom and preference of producing and using tube skirt bags. Among them, the Dai tube skirt bag is the most representative due to its long history and exquisite craftsmanship.

　　 Tube skirt bags are both daily necessities and refined works of arts and crafts. For young Dai men and women, they also serve as tokens of affection. If a young man receives a tube skirt bag that embodies a girl’s heart, hard work, and wisdom, it is considered a message of love — one that requires him to reciprocate with a handmade gift of his own. From then on, the two grow fond of each other, often leading to a happy marriage.

　　 Tube skirt bags are a type of Dai brocade, having evolved from early textiles made of hemp and cotton to modern blends of silk, wool, and cotton. They are exquisitely crafted and beautifully designed, featuring patterns such as colorful butterflies, peacocks, camellia flowers, deer, and elephants. These vivid designs carry strong elements of everyday life and ethnic character. Loved not only by local ethnic communities but also attracting great interest from domestic and international tourists, tube skirt bags are increasingly becoming popular souvenirs.