Craftsmen: The Bai People

Today in China there are approximately 1.6 million Bai who are most heavily concentrated around the city of Dali in the central Yunnan province.

“Bai” means white in Chinese and is derived from the Dali region’s immense supply of marble. As a matter of fact, some of the marble found in the Taj Mahal of India was obtained in Dali. The marble of this region is still considered to be of very high quality. The Bai are known for their marble carving and wood carving skills, fine embroidery, batik, and production of tie-dyed materials used for tablecloths and bedspreads.

As a very family-oriented group, all members of Bai family will find jobs and contribute to the household. Even young boys and girls obtain jobs working in the fields or loading marble. Both women and men hold labor-intensive positions to help support the family.

From marble to indigo tie-dyed cotton, the Bai take pride in their culture and their work. We hope that their pride shines through in the products that are offered to you. White Harvest Trading Company is importing beautiful wood mirrors and carvings along with the traditional inside painted bottles with beautiful florals and religious images.