The art of beading on Xa Pho people's costumes
Each ethnic minority has its own distinct design and visual art, which contribute to the distinctiveness of their traditional clothing. Like other ethnic groups, the Xa Pho ethnic group's costumes are made of cotton, linen, indigo dyed, and brocade embroidery, but they have one particular feature that distinguishes their costume culture. That is the art of beading to make brocade designs for their clothes.
Beads are harvested in August every year.
Ms. Ly Thi Ngay of Nam Keng village, Lien Minh commune, Sa Pa town, described the traditional method of manufacturing brocade using beads as follows: "Brocade of the Xa Pho ethnic group has its own uniqueness, in addition to hand-embroidered patterns, there is also the art of beading..." This is also the most challenging stage of traditional needlework and sewing on Xa Pho ethnic clothing.
After harvesting, the beads will be dried for use during the year.
The beads used to attach to Xa Pho people's clothes are small, long beads with holes in the middle that can be threaded through with a needle or thread. Xa Pho people grow a lot of beaded trees in Lien Minh. Similar to the rice crop, around January and February, people sow beaded seeds to grow the plants, then about a month later when the seedlings appear, they are planted. The bead harvest season is around August every year, when the beads are old enough to attach to clothes. After harvesting, people dry the beads, then attach them to brocade dresses and decorate other costumes and items.
A unique pattern from the beading art on the dresses of Xa Pho women.
Beads are frequently creatively joined to form patterns similar to brocade. The Xa Pho people attach beads to each clothing in unique designs that avoid duplication. Beads are fastened to the front chest and rear of Xa Pho women's shirts and dresses, creating beaded designs with many shapes, waves or squares, and symmetrical flowers that stand out against the indigo dyed cotton fabric. On Xa Pho men's shirts, only a few beads are attached to the sleeves, back of the shirt, row of buttons, and side of the blue shirt hem.
Xa Pho women are the ones who still preserve the traditional craft of embroidering beaded brocade on their costumes.
The Xa Pho ethnic group's traditional clothing include distinctive bead patterns. The bead patterns on blouses and skirts distinguish Xa Pho brocade from other ethnic groups' brocade clothes. Xa Pho people use beads to adorn indigo bags, baby carriers, and other items, in addition to clothes.
The combination of colored thread embroidery patterns with beading art creates the unique look of Xa Pho brocade.
Xa Pho women's traditional costumes include a blouse and skirt with a square-cut collar and beads in symmetrical patterns flowing down the body of the garment. The lower section of the garment is frequently embroidered with butterfly, canopy, and zigzag motifs. The skirt is similarly embellished with motifs similar to those found on the shirt's body, as well as pine trees, mountains, and stars.
Teaching the art of beading on Xa Pho women's dresses
Any traditional costume of any nation vividly shows the cultural identity of that nation, as well as fully reflects daily life... on brocade paintings, imprinted on costumes.
