73-year-old inherits Yi embroidery in Kaiyuan

Luo Xiuzhen, a 73-year-old woman, has been knitting the Yi embroidery for 60 years in Kaiyuan city, south Yunnan’s Honghe Hani and Yi autonomous prefecture. Her embroidering skills are so exquisite that girls in the village come to learn from her.

Fascinated by the fingertip skill, Luo learned quickly and excelled in the craft, growing to be a Yi embroidery teacher in the village. When walking into her house, one can be easily impressed by her works.

When she was 18 years old 60 years ago, her mother embroidered 30 pairs of shoes in one year. When she got married, the beautiful shoes were a dowry.

"The shoes carry my mom’s best wishes,” said Luo. “That’s why I inherited this craft”.

How times flies! The once girl is now a senior lady with gray hair. Although her eyesight is not as good as before, she still insists on knitting and teaching.

Reporting by Xiao Yong (Yunnan Daily app); Trans-editing by Mo Yingyi