Mongolian ethnic clothing weaves together tradition, innovation

HOHHOT - Uyun poses and takes selfies with her friends backstage at a traditional ethnic clothing competition in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

"We made all these clothes by hand. It's a family thing and a tradition on the prairie," said Uyun, 55, who teamed up with her friends for the competition at the 14th Mongolian Costume Festival held in the regional capital of Hohhot last week.

"As herders, we learned to make traditional Mongolian clothing as little girls," said Uyun, who is ethnic Mongolian from Hulun Buir City.

Temperatures in Hulun Buir can plummet to minus 40 degrees Celsius in winter.

"Only these, with lambswool lining, can help us keep warm," she said.

Uyun's friend, Ulangolwa, 53, said she taught her daughter the craft when she was young, and now the younger woman makes a living from it.