Dong Embroidery at San Jiang, China: Ethnic Identity and Cultural Heritage Management in the Process of Minority Development in China

Abstract

This study is qualitative in nature. The purpose of this study was 1) to study Sanjiang Dong embroidery from the perspective of ethnic identity, and 2) to study the cultural heritage management of Sanjiang Dong embroidery. This qualitative study mainly uses concepts for ethnic identity and cultural heritage management. The study population included Dong embroidery practitioners, the government and related researchers, tourists, and other personnel. Studies were conducted using interview and observation methods and presented by descriptive analysis. The results of the study show that the Sanjiang Dong embroidery is a product of the social and cultural life and natural environment of the local Dong people; it is a national cultural heritage that reflects the uniqueness of the Dong ethnic culture; in the development process of Chinese ethnic minorities, together with its carrier clothing, its origin, development, and fall are closely related to ethnic identity, and with the development of China's ethnic minorities into the modernization process, its ethnic identity is also closely related to cultural heritage management; Dong embroidery has formed a cultural commodity industry on the fingertips through cultural heritage management, expand the economic and cultural value, and construct the modern value of Dong embroidery; thus, the ethnic confidence and ethnic identity of the Dong nationality are constructed.