Captured at a market in Butuo County, Liangshan, this portrait features an elderly Yi woman dressed in traditional ethnic clothing that has accompanied her through decades of change. Seated among the bustle of the marketplace, she carries the quiet dignity and resilience of a generation deeply connected to the mountains.
For many elders in Liangshan, traditional dress is more than clothing—it is a living expression of identity, memory, and belonging. While younger generations increasingly wear ethnic attire only during festivals and celebrations, many older Yi people continue to wear these garments in their daily lives, preserving customs passed down through centuries.
The lines on her face tell a story of endurance, hard work, and community, while her calm presence reflects the strength of a culture rooted in family and tradition.
Part of the Faces of Liangshan series, this photograph honours the wisdom, beauty, and enduring spirit of the Yi people of Southwest China.
Museum-quality fine art print.
