A research team from the College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering of Hunan University (HNU) carried out a 5-day survey on the development and protection of the intangible cultural heritages in Liping County, Guizhou from August 5th to 10th, 2015, with the handmade cloth of Dong ethnic group as a main subject. The team intends to optimize the traditional cloth dyeing technique by means of chemical engineering and technology.

In southeastern Guizhou, Dong cloth has always been popular among Dong people for thousands of years. This kind of handmade cloth, featuring distinctive characteristics and simple style, boasts a high value in artistry and for collection. However, this kind of craftsmanship now is on the verge of being lost.

The team visited several aged dyers and took lots of pictures and videos about Dong cloth production process, including spinning, weaving, dyeing, beetling and drying, to make a documentary film to make more people know about Dong cloth. They also obtained firsthand data via 300 questionnaires submitted from local scenic spots.

Translated by Zhang Lingli