Costume, major symbol of an ethnic group ,is regarded as the precious cultural heritage of human being Along with the process of human civilization, costume is functioned from practical use to aesthetical approach, with every step forward reflecting the intellectual brilliance of mankind in creating material culture and spiritual culture.
Yunnan province is China’s repository of ethnic costume and ornament cultural resources rare around the world. The 26 nationalities inhabiting here have created the ethnic costumes of different materials, styles, function and process, and handed them down from generation to generation. Carrying with profound cultural tradition and national spirit, costumes provides precious materials for deep-seated cultural exploration into the origin of human beings, ethnic history, religious belief, marriage and family, social roles and so on. It is significant effort for the enhancement of cultural diversity to protect and keep up ethnic costumes as well as advocate the excellent
Mainly compiled by Xie Mohua, curator of Yunnan Provincial Museum, Ethnic Costume and Processing Sklls, is one of the series of the museum's collections that offer illustrated introduction to the ethnic costume and ornament handicrafts of Yunnan province as well as local ethnic groups' precious cultural heritages.
Ethnic Costume and Processing Sklls include nearly 200 high definition photos to introduce systematically Yunnan’s 25 ethnic minorities' costumes and ornaments and their handicrafts. The entire book comprises six chapters: early costumes and ornaments, plain and festive attires, clothes for religious rituals, knitwear and textile, dyeing and embroidery, and ornaments and processing.