On November 29, 2024, a young Chinese woman, Yu Tianyu, had one of the most shining moments of her life during her graduation ceremony, at the University of Edinburgh, in Scotland, the United Kingdom. Yu, of the ethnic Miao people, attended her graduation ceremony in a full, gorgeous traditional ethnic Miao costume. 

As she walked across the stage to formally receive her diploma, she quickly performed a few simple moves in front of the dean, and she invited him to perform a very short portion of a traditional Miao dance. The moment was recorded by Yu's friend. Yu later posted the video on the Internet, and she soon received numerous "thumbs-up" from netizens. 

Yu's hometown is in Leishan, a county in Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, in southwest China's Guizhou Province. After she received her bachelor's degree, from Xiamen University Tan Kah Kee College, in 2023, Yu headed to Edinburgh to begin her master's program, majoring in film directing. The Miao costume she wore during her graduation was handmade by her mother, grandmother and aunts. 

During a recent interview with Women of China, Yu explained, "Generally speaking, every Miao girl will have a traditional ethnic costume, handmade by her family members from the time she was born. The long skirt I was wearing during the graduation ceremony was made by my Grandma. The clothing demonstrated our ethnic identity, our folk culture and aesthetics." 

She also introduced traditional Miao embroideries. "The patterns, such as flowers, birds, animals, totems and symbols with auspicious meanings, express Miao people's sincere wishes for happiness, longevity, prosperity and a beautiful life. Each item of clothing, and every single silver ornament, bears the best wishes from our families." Yu was very happy as she walked across the graduation stage, because she was helping show the unique charm of ethnic Miao culture to the world. 

During the interview, Yu said she was particularly impressed by an Iranian schoolmate, who became excited when she touched Yu's clothes and silver ornaments. "I truly felt foreigners were showing their respect for, and curiosity about, the culture of the Miao people," Yu says. 

As a postgraduate who majored in film directing, Yu paid special attention to stories about women. Her final project was a film that depicted her grandmother making the bottom drawer (or dress for marriage). "My film presents how Grandma has devoted herself to demonstrating Miao embroidering skills, and to completing other family chores. I hope to remind people of the respect and proper understanding they have for our traditional culture. Also, I hope they will cherish more the time they spend with their families," Yu says. 

After the video of her Miao dance, during the graduation ceremony, became popular online, Yu started to realize "cultural inheritance is not only about telling history well, it also requires one to explore innovative methods that connect history with the current living circumstance." Yu says she will utilize multiple channels — including films, short videos, and social-media platforms — to generate interest among more people, so they will learn more about ethnic Miao culture.

Photos from Interviewee

(Women of China English Monthly January 2025)

Editor: Wang Shasha