Hami Uygur embroidery weaves Cantonese style

Guangzhou University staged a special exhibition of excellent works from this year's graduates – 50 female embroiderers on June 5, highlighting Uygur embroidery.

The craftswomen, coming from Hami, known for its sweet melons in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, made their works outstanding by integrating traditional Uygur embroidery with Cantonese features.

As one of the projects protecting the national intangible cultural heritage, craftsmen and craftswomen who specialize in Hami embroidery were invited to Guangzhou University to receive a month-long training every May.

Graduates of Hami Uygur embroidery complete their one-month training and hold an exhibition at the Guangzhou University on June 5. [Photo by Gan Yunyi/ycwb.com]

"The skills of Hami Uygur embroidery are passed down through generations," said the leader of the training class. "We come here to learn color matching, pattern design and embroidery techniques, as well as Cantonese embroidery."

Hami Uygur embroidery has a history of hundreds of years and was listed as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2008. It is a necessary decoration in the daily lives of Uygur people in Hami, using exquisite patterns and skillful knitting.

"Cantonese embroidery features more delicate knitting while the Hami embroidery is more colorful," she commented.