In praise of the golden pheasant

Batik, one of ancient China's major printing techniques along with tie-dyeing and clip-dyeing, is most representative in Danzhai, and it has become the county's business card, bringing great vitality to local tourism.

Batik and golden pheasant elements are combined to produce "hundred birds clothing", more commonly known as "the epic of the Miao people".

The golden pheasant is a totem handed down from the ancient times of Danzhai Miao people. According to legend, the bird brought rice seed, and the ancestors of the Miao were able to establish a foothold in mountainous southeast Guizhou. The golden pheasant has thus been an object of worship of the Miao people for centuries, and a dance related to it is also a well-known item of intangible cultural heritage.

The artwork of 1,000 people hand-painting the batik of what is called hundred birds clothing has been one of the highlights of the past week.

"It not only represents the joy of the Miao people in the grand festival, but also contains infinite blessings for a better life," says Zhang Yafeng, secretary-general of the China Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Association.

This 100-meter batik painting scroll has been on display in Yougong Square, Danzhai Wanda Town, throughout the heritage event. Fifty local batik professionals, mostly older women from Danzhai, have had in-depth exchanges with tourists coming to participate in various activities and learning batik techniques.