YI COSTUMES AT LIANGSHAN, CHINA: ETHNIC IDENTITY AND SELF-REPRESENTATION OF A MINORITY IN THE CONTEXT OF MODERNITY

Abstract

‘Yi Costumes at Liangshan, China: Ethnic Identity and Self-Representation of a Minority in the Context of Modernity’ is qualitative research with four research objectives. 1) To study the historical development of Yi people in Liangshan Province. 2) To study costumes in the dimension of ethnicity and material culture; 3) To study Yi's costume in the dimension of commoditization; 4) To study modern fashion from Yi's costumes in the context of modernity. two research concepts: ethnic identity and self-representation.

The results of the research are Yi costumes at Liangshan, China, which are produced to cater directly to the ethnic context of the Yi people. Such garments are being practiced on Yi people's bodies in various situations. The such costume can therefore very well indicate the ethnic identity of the Yi people. But nowadays, with the ethnic development policy of the government, it has become an important context to add the new roles of Yi costumes. This allows the Yi people to present themselves to others and to the outside world. The Yi people have chosen to present their identities through unique costumes. However, the process of presenting oneself to others. As a result, the Yi people have been creating a variety of cultures in their costumes under different conditions. Including in terms of making culture a commodity.