Kaili Travel Guide

• Kaili Overview
• Kaili Hotels
• Kaili Maps
• Kaili Transport
• Kaili Weather
• Kaili Attraction
• Kaili Food
• Kaili Shopping
• Kaili Entertainment
• Kaili Miscellaneous

See Also

• Beijing Attraction
• Shanghai Attraction
• Xian Attraction
• Guilin Attraction
• more...

 

Matang Village

View 2 photos, or upload your photo.

Matang Village, located roughly 18 kilometers north of the city of Kaili, is a Gejia ethnic minority village. Officially the Gejia (alternatively, Ge Jia) are classified as a subgroup of the Miao ethnic minority, but this is a classification that the Gejia resent, claiming instead that they are a unique ethnic minority in their own right, with their own unique language and social customs, including their own unique dress (the Gejia insist that they are the descendants of Houyi, the God of the Arrow, according to Gejia legend).

Whatever the true status of their identity (the judgement as to whether the Gejia are a subgroup of the Miao or not would require considerable study on the part of ethnologists, in cooperation perhaps with linguists and other specialists), it seems that little is really known about the Gejia, apart from the fact that they specialize in batik, and that they, not unlike the various other ethnic minorities in the region, are fond of colorful clothing, which colorful clothing includes everyday attire as well as festival costumes.

Matang Village's Gejia girls begin to learn the art of batik (the art of dyeing multi-colored patterns in stages by applying melted wax to the areas where one does not wish the given color to appear, as the wax prevents the dye from penetrating) at a very tender age – as young as 7–8 years old – and become adept at it by the time they reach adulthood.

Gejia Batik is purchased the world over – as well as by tourists to the region, who can often score a bargain on the spot – by those who appreciate the uniqueness of the Gejia batik patterns as well as the excellent craftsmanship that goes into their production and which rests on lifelong training in the art and technique of batik. Some of the more common items of Gejia batik include women's jackets, coats, dresses and a corset-like vest to be worn over a blouse, while batik suspenders are a typical men's item. Other everyday applications of Gejia batik include curtains, quilt covers, tablecloths and place mats.

In addition to being specialists in the art of batik, the Gejia ethnic minority of Matang Village are also skilled at embroidery and the petit point stitch on which it is based – as well as being adept at hawking their handicrafts, it is said.

Visitors to Matang Village can opt to overnight in wooden cottages that have been built specifically to accommodate tourists. The lucky individual visitor may be witness to an official calendar festival, while for larger touring parties, on-demand demonstrations of Gejia festival entertainment – in full festival regalia – are available.

Edition HistoryAddLocation:

Edition HistoryAddTicket Price:

Edition HistoryAdd Opening Time:

Edition HistoryAdd How to get there:

Edition HistoryAdd Tips: