Mongolian ethnic clothing weaves together tradition, innovation

A competition for Mongolian-style primary and middle school uniforms was held for the first time during this year's festival, Zhang said.

In Xilingol League, the local government has established a "Mongolian Clothing Day" in Mongolian-language primary schools and kindergartens. On the day, students are encouraged to wear Mongolian clothing to school.

Courses on Mongolian clothing design and production are now offered in middle schools and vocational schools, said Uzhitunasun, director of the league's tourism development commission.

According to him, over 137,000 herders, or about a third of the population on the prairie in Xilingol League, still wear Mongolian clothing in their daily lives. More than 50,000 people in the league are engaged in Mongolian clothing production.

With a history of more than 800 years, Mongolian clothing was added to China's list of intangible cultural heritage in 2008. In 2012, the region issued a set of standards for making the clothing.

"Mongolian clothing is a symbol of Mongolians' nomadic life through history," said Zhang Yanru.

There are 28 Mongolian tribes in Inner Mongolia. Influenced by different climates, history and traditions, every tribe has unique clothing designs.

There is still a lack of designers of traditional Mongolian clothing, said Zhang Minghua, deputy director with Hohhot's tourism development commission.

Not many students majoring in costume design choose Mongolian clothing as their career, she said, "So we must encourage and train more students to do it."