Inspired by the wandering wild Asian elephants in southwest China's Yunnan Province, artists of the Dai ethnic group have created a series of embroidery creations depicting the elephant herd's epic trek. The unusual expedition by these elephants has attracted global attention.

The embroidery techniques have been passed down to over 500 local craftswomen by 12 inheritors of this traditional handicraft legacy in Yuxi, a central city in Yunnan that is home to the Dai people.

Qian Xiaoli, an inheritor of the art in Yuxi, was awarded the title of the China Textile Intangible Cultural Heritage Promotion Ambassador. She said these craftswomen have been paying particular attention to the elephants that arrived in Yuxi in April and remained around the area.

Since leaving their forest home in southwestern Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture in March 2020, the herd of 15 elephants has traveled over 500 kilometers, deviating from the historical migratory routes. Instead, they walked northwards through forests, villages and highways, without any clear sign of a destination.

The embroidery, called "Where are the elephants?", shows the elephants' journey across Yuxi, including its counties of Yuanjiang, Eshan and Yimen.

Dai people's ancient craft skills are exemplified in this work – for example, several thumb-sized shoes connect the three locations on their trip, according to Qian.

In addition, the embroidery patches of the three elephants were made with an exquisite and colorful brocade unique to the Dai ethnic group called Dai Jin.

"We have been recording the trekking of the elephants with Dai Jin, which is unique to the Dai people. We used it to make embroidery patches," she said.

The time-honored handicraft of embroidery, known for its unique patterns and beautiful, bright colors, was inscribed on the first list of state-level intangible cultural heritage items. 

Featuring various subjects from plants to animals, the refined techniques and unique designs of Dai Embroidery have been passed down for generations.

(Video by Hong Yaobin)