Fish, Birds, Flowers, Butterflies
The Miao women artisans at Ninghang Batik, affectionately known as "painting ladies" (画娘), predominantly belong to the 白领苗 “Bai Ling Miao” (white colar Miao), a subgroup of the Miao ethnic group known as the 嘎闹 (Ghad Nes) branch
The Miao women artisans at Ninghang Batik, affectionately known as "painting ladies" (画娘), predominantly belong to the 白领苗 “Bai Ling Miao” (white colar Miao), a subgroup of the Miao ethnic group known as the 嘎闹 (Ghad Nes) branch
The term "Ghad Nes" translates to "the clan originating from the Bird Totem tribe" in the Miao language, reflecting their deep-rooted bird totem worship. This reverence for birds is evident in their batik. Additionally, designs incorporating fish, flowers, and butterflies are common too in traditional Danzhai batik, as is also seem at Ninghang Batik.
Historically, batik was applied to household items such as bed covers, skirts, baby carriers, and garments, with women crafting these pieces for their families. Nowadays, Ninghang's painting ladies have shifted towards fulfilling commercial orders, creating items like curtains, large decorative wall hangings, bags, scarves, and modern clothings. These products are also directly sold in the store next to the studio room in the workshop.
While working, the painting ladies engage in lively conversations, often playing Douyin (Chinese TikTok) videos or music, sometimes singing along. Their musical selections range from popular songs in Mandarin and Miao languages to traditional Lusheng music—a bamboo instrument integral to Miao culture. The music featured in this video is recorded from a Douyin video played by one of the painting ladies during her work.
