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Under
my shelter
The
people of Maonan are famous for bamboo weaving.
The craft is well represented by the “ding ka
hua,” a bamboo-woven hat for women.
The
raw materials are golden bamboo and ink bamboo,
named after their colors. The bamboo trunk and
2 millimeters wide. Rubbed very smooth, the strips
are woven into a round hat with two layers. The
outside layer usually uses 720 straps. The inside
layer always has a pattern of black and golden
rhomboids. Between the layers, there is a layer
of water-resistant paper. Wearing such a hat keeps
the girl from strong sunlight and rain.
A young
man of Maonan often carries the “ding ka hua”
when he goes to attend the celebration of the
Song Festival. In he falls is love with a girl,
he will give the hat to her, a way to show his
care and love for her. “Ding ka hua” has always
been treated as a love token among the Maonan
people.
www.travel-silkroad.com
28 September, 2002
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