Xunpu Women's Customs

National ICH · Batch 2
Origin

Xunpu women's customs are practised mainly in Xunpu and neighbouring communities of Fengze district in Quanzhou, life-customs handed down by the seaside fisherwomen and bearing traces of the Maritime Silk Road.

The art form

Xunpu women wear a 'broad-hem blouse and wide trousers', coil their hair into a bun and ring it with garlands of fresh flowers, the 'zanhuawei'; they also keep distinctive wedding and festival customs and the Mazu procession rite.

Cultural significance

The floral headdress is regarded as a 'living fossil' of headwear custom that embodies the maritime culture of Xunpu's fishing families, entering the second national ICH list in 2008.

Where to experience

In Quanzhou's Xunpu village, local women can still be seen wearing flowers in their hair and traditional dress in daily life.

Related
Heritage Site:Xunpu Village
Xunpu Women's Customs — China Intangible Cultural Heritage · 1000usdinchina