Hezhen traditional clothing is uniquely crafted from fish skin, earning them the historical name Fish Skin Tribe. Their garments are decorated with dyed fish-skin applique and cloud-scroll patterns.
Key Features of Hezhen Attire
- Fish-skin processed into wearable leather
- Fish-skin trousers and boots waterproof for fishing
- Dyed fish-skin applique in cloud scroll and geometric patterns
- Dog-fur trim on winter parka hoods and cuffs
- Hempen cloth robes for summer wear as alternative
Traditional Garments
Men and women traditionally wore robes from salmon or pike skin, with the scales removed and skin softened through repeated pounding. The fish-skin robe is knee-length with wide sleeves, decorated with dyed fish-skin applique at hem, collar, and cuffs.
Headwear and Adornments
Winter hats were made from dog or fox fur with ear flaps. Summer hats were simple cloth caps or headbands.
Embroidery and Decorative Arts
Rather than thread embroidery, the Hezhen specialize in fish-skin applique - pieces of fish skin dyed with natural pigments cut into scroll patterns and sewn onto garments.
The Hezhen mastery of fish-skin garment-making represents one of the worlds most specialized textile technologies - a complete set of clothing requires skins from approximately fifty large salmon.
Color Symbolism
Natural fish-skin tones from cream to light brown. Dyed applique adds blue, red, yellow, brown, and black.
Festival Attire
During the Wurigong Festival, the most elaborately decorated fish-skin robes with full applique coverage are worn.
Modern Influence and Preservation
Hezhen fish-skin clothing craftsmanship is recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage.
Did You Know?
The Hezhen are one of the smallest ethnic minorities in China and the only one traditionally known for making clothing from fish skin.