Gansu puts on ethnic costume show

Yugur women in ethnic costumes in Sunan Yugur autonomous county, Gansu province on March 3. [Photo/Xinhua]

Women from different ethnic groups such as the Yugur showed off their traditional clothing in Sunan Yugur autonomous county, Gansu province on March 3 to celebrate the upcoming International Women's Day.

More than 100 examples of elegant attire made by local designers were modeled by women from nearby towns and villages.

The Yugurs are an ancient nomadic people, descendants of a branch of the Uygurs who prospered during the Song Dynasty (960-1279) around the southeast Tarim Basin in Central Asia.

Most Yugurs live in tents and are predominantly employed in animal husbandry in the snow-capped plateaus and desert grasslands of the northern region of the Qilian mountain range in today's Sunan Yugur autonomous county, Gansu province.

Traditional Yugur costumes feature high collars, hats with tassels and robes with belts, which gives people a sense of solemnity, dignity and grace. The costumes also favor bright contrasting colors such as red, blue, black and white. The clothing is always embroidered with special patterns that resemble plants, animals, clouds, stars, the sun and the moon.