Sinology Sunday: 56 proposals across China

 

 

 

Couple  @三兽sanso and @小姬joy spent half a year traveling across China to take wedding photos in the style of all 56 officially recognized ethnic groups.  They usually asked locals  to help them get as authentic clothing as possible (some accessories they used are  family heirlooms, some are museum pieces) , although some are more  touristy costumes. They also said that given the choice, they usually opted for less religious clothing.

It’s really a pity that only like five of them are regularly represented in TV series. I would love to see more historical and modern dramas exploring their stories.

11 thoughts on “Sinology Sunday: 56 proposals across China

  1. Thank you very much for posting these pictures!! If possible, could you also explain which ethnic group each picture represents?

  2. These are wonderful photos – there is a lot of love shining here. Plus, I enjoyed seeing the same pairs of shoes peek out in most photos.

      • these are in period dramas right? can’t remember any miao representation in historical or modern dramas though.. are there any you’d recommend?

        • It depends. Manchus and Mongolians are the most common historical drama leads because they’ve got their own dynasties. Miao and Uyghurs are in some wuxia and xianxia dramas. Miao, Uyghurs, and Tibetans are also not uncommon in red films/dramas made in the last century, although I haven’t watched any of them. Tibetan characters are probably the most represented in modern dramas given how many anti-poaching stories are set in Tibet (there’s an upcoming idol drama about this, too).

          As for Miao specifically, Jin Yong has a Miao sect (五毒教/五仙教) . One of the female leads in Sword Stained with Royal Blood is in it, as are a few supporting leads in other novels. Even though I think historically Nanzhao is mostly Bai/Yi, a lot of dramas make leads from Nanzhao either explicitly or implicitly Miao. Zhao Ling’er and A’man are both explicitly Miao I think. Abu Chacha’s second human body is implicitly Miao in Let’s Shake It.

          • Thanks for the info! I would love to see more ethnic minorities being represented in Chinese drama/movies. What’s the upcoming anti-poaching idol drama?

  3. This is rather marvelous! I especially like how the girl throws in the occasional “refusal” expression. Sinology Sundays are ace.

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