A Preliminary Investigation of the Traditional Technology of Dong Brocade in Tongdao of Hunan Province

Basing on the literature researches and fieldworks, this paper classifies and summarizes the basic types and production processes of the Dong Brocade crafts in Tongdao of Hunan Province. They are always divided into the plain brocade and the colorful one by the color. They are also classified as the daily brocade, the longevity brocade, the lord brocade and so on by function. Moreover, they also can be classified according to weaving tools as the machine and hand woven ones, and the big brocade and the floret brocade by the composition. There are two ways of making. One is made by the oblique loom and the other by a special kind of wooden comb. The process of making by oblique loom is very complex and includes thirteen steps. There are no any textbooks or atlas for women weaver during the whole process, and they always teach others orally. It concludes Dong Brocade constitutes an important part of traditional lifestyle of Dong people. The colorful patterns are the symbolic representation of Dong people’s cultural tradition and beliefs. Waking up the local people’s cultural consciousness and creating a good cultural environment are the most important things for the protection and inheritance for the Dong Brocade. Meanwhile, we should maintain the right balances between tradition and innovation. It means we should try our best to achieve the aim of guarding and protecting for this hand-made technology when we strive for technological innovation.