An Encounter with Pu’er Ethnic Dress in Shanghai.
上海遇见云南佤族正装。

This isn’t a photo of ethnic minority attire taken in Yunnan. I saw this eye-catching, splendid traditional outfit on Xingguo Road in Shanghai. I looked at it curiously. I know ethnic minorities in Yunnan have unique clothing, but I couldn’t tell which specific group it belonged to.

“Where in Yunnan Province are you from?”
“Pu’er.”
“Are you new here?”
“I just arrived today, my first day.”
“That explains it. I’ve never seen anyone dressed in full ethnic costume here before.”

My impression of Pu’er used to be limited to Pu’er tea. Later I learned that Pu’er is home to many ethnic minorities, each with its own distinct clothing, so it’s understandable that not everyone can recognize them at a glance.

After looking it up, I found out: the red headband inlaid with large round silver studs is a direct reflection of the Wa people’s tradition of “honoring red as decoration and silver as treasure,” and aic design in their formal dress. I wonder if I got that right?

Photo taken on Xingguo Road, Shanghai.