An Analysis of Costume Phenomena among the Pumi and the Mosuo of the Naxi
This article compares the traditional clothing of the Pumi ethnic group and the Mosuo (a Naxi subgroup living in Yongning) to explain the striking similarity in their dress. Drawing on historical records (Ming and Qing gazetteers) and ethnographic descriptions, the author details Pumi and Mosuo men's and women's garments—including hairstyles woven with yak-tail hair, pleated skirts, sheepskin capes, silver ornaments, and colored sashes—highlighting close parallels in style, color, and accessories. The article argues that shared ancestral origin ("same clan, same root") among peoples descended from ancient Qiang groups is the fundamental cause of this sartorial resemblance, while geographic proximity and cultural interaction allowed the shared costume style to persist over time. The author frames this phenomenon as a case of "shared origin, divergent development" followed by renewed convergence, illustrating how clothing similarity across distinct ethnic groups can facilitate broader ethnic fusion and complicate clear ethnic identification.
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