Bazhu, bangdian and Tibetan boots

Tibetan head adornments of different places are different. In Yushu region of Qinghai, Tibetan women regard long hair beautiful. They plait their pitch-black hair into tens to hundreds of little braids, and every braid hangs down on the back with almost the same distance among one another.

Two or three decorative strips are put horizontally or vertically on the head decorated with large agate, amber, pearl, colorful jade and other gold and silver decoration, which are very dazzling. Bazhu is the most characteristic head adornment for women in Tibet. Bazhu in Lhasa region has three twigs or horns, which are tied on top of the head flatly with two twigs pointing forward, and the two braids are coiled on each twig separately. Bazhu in Rikeze and Jiangzi is arched. When being worn, the arch points upward, and the many thin braids are hung on either end of the arch. The framework of Bazhu is often tied up with red pulu or cloth, and pearl, agate, and coral are sewed on it. Bazhu decorated completely with pearl is called "pearl Bazhu", which is the most precious. Coral Bazhu takes the second place. In the past, there were rank restrictions in wearing Bazhu: only hereditary noble ladies can wear pearl Bazhu, and ordinary noble ladies can only wear coral Bazhu. When a girl wears a Bazhu for the first time, it shows that she has grown up. According to traditional custom, her parents should hold a congratulating rite to show their sincere blessings.

"Bangdian" is transliteration of Tibetan, and it means "apron" which is Tibetan women's apron woven with wool. It is popular in Tibet, is woven with wool-spinned thread, dyed and woven into strips. When making it, one should piece together the strips into a rectangle, add a layer of lining below it, and two strips to the two ends of the upper part. The fabric is close and delicate, the color is bright and it is beautiful and tasteful. The most outstanding character of the Bangdian is contrasting colors and colors of the same kind are used boldly, and are arranged ingeniously and harmoniously. Wide strips of some aprons with strongly contrasting colors are disposed together, some narrow strips with the same kind of colors combine together, and some strips with pure primary colors are inserted into many strips with secondary colors. In terms of disposition of color strips, some are disposed from dark to light by groups, and some are mixedly disposed without being divided into groups, which make rough and bright or refined and mild style. It used to be worn by married women, and now girls also like to wear it. On festive and happy occasions, women wear it around waist, which is like a rainbow wrapping the body. When several or tens of women cluster together, it is much more colorful, delicate and charming.

Tibetans, no matter men or women, generally wear boots. Tibetan boots have a great variety and a multitude of names. According to the material, it can roughly be divided into three kinds: cowhide, corduroy and pulu. Divided from the specification and size, there are five sizes: large, two, three, four and five. All kinds of boots are straight without distinguishing left and right, and men and women's style, and they are divided into long leg boots and short leg boots, and unlined boots and cotton-padded boots. There are cross-shaped designs on the head of cowhide and corduroy boots, and the sole of the boots is sewed with 5-7 layers of cowhide, the thickness of which is about 2 to 3 centimeters. The legs of corduroy are made of corduroy, and a layer of canvas and a layer of white cloth are lined in it, which is edged with red cloth. The head of corduroy boots is also made of cowhide. There are many kinds of pulu boots, and the sole is also made of cowhide, which differs in thickness from about 3 to 4 centimeters. The upper and leg are made of different colors of pulu, and all kinds of patterns are embroidered on them. Boots of Changdu and northern Tibet are simple, honest, and tasteful, while boots of Shannan and Rikeze are delicate, careful, and refined. Boots in Lhasa region incorporate the strong points of different places, which have bright color and are elegant and poised. The Tibetan boots are not only beautiful and tasteful, but also comfortable, durable and wear-proof. So it is deeply welcomed by Tibetans and other compatriot nationalities nearby.

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