Collages for the Show- We are Tiger-Dragon People

Yi Costume Festival
16x60"

Nearly two thousand Yi gather on a hillside in Yongren County for their annual costume festival. Their embroidery contains important symbols of Yi myths and legends.

Long ago, there was a young Yi couple in love. They met in the forest, and in pursuit of the girl, the Devil King killed the boy. As the girl fled to the edge of the village, she suddenly heard the loud crow of a cock. An old man taught her to make a cock to crow to call out the sun and drive the devil away. The girl saved her boyfriend, and the villagers decided to show their gratitude for the cock that saved their life. Yi people began to make cockscomb hats and now believe that it can bring luckiness, brightness, safety and happiness to the world. It is said that the silver bubbles on the hat stand for stars and moon, and symbolize eternal light and happiness.

Wa Rub You Black Festival
20x40"

The Wa people live in Cangyuan, within the Awa Mountains on the borders of Burma and China. According to legend, if the Wa sacred medicine niangbuluo" is rubbed onto girls" faces, they become increasingly beautiful; onto elders"faces, they will be healthy and long-lived; onto children's faces, they will be safe and lucky. Now they rub mud mixed with perfume.

The Stone Forest

18x42"

The Stone Forest dates back to the Ming Dynasty- 270 million years ago an immense expanse of water with a vast stretch of limestone sediment formed over the years on the seafloor. As a result of the crustal movement, the seabed rose gradually and a large piece of land came into being. Eroded by rain and wind, limestone ranges were shaped by time. About 200 million years ago stone peaks, pillars, and stalagmites rose abruptly from the ground and towered into the sky, looking like a vast forest of stone.

Lisu Hot Springs Gathering
60x16"

Every Spring Festival, the Lisu people gather at the Hot Springs by the Nujiang River in NW Yunnan. By taking baths and washing off dirt with sacred spring water, people hope for forthcoming auspiciousness.

Yi Tiger Festival
26x26"

It is said that the Yi people from Shuangbai County once lived in a dense forest disturbed by snakes and wild animals. In order to prevent themselves from being hurt, they thought out a way to guard the village. Under the lead of the black “Tiger King”, they perform all kinds of dances reflecting the production, living, and procreation of the Yi people and go to each house at the village to help get rid of evils. Thus the Tiger Dance was created ever since, showing their tiger-like strength and valor.

Yuantong Temple
15x100"

King Yimouxun of the Nanzhao Kingdom built Yuantong temple during the late eighth century. Kunming locals and Yunnan in general come here on pilgrimages to pay respect. On the 1st and 15th of each lunar month, old women gather at what is the largest Buddhist temple in Kunming.