Abstract

This article explores the evolution and safeguarding of Guangxi Zhuang brocade, focusing on its design inheritance and mode of transmission among the Zhuang people, as well as in wider Chinese society. We use a qualitative methodology, including interviews, observation, and literature reviews to examine the historical and cultural contexts that shaped Zhuang brocade development. The subsequent findings include a never-before recorded analysis of brocade designs and the identification of three cultural inclusion methods in brocade patterns: deformation, fusion, and transplantation. These methods enable the brocade to function as a cultural symbol embedded with social memories while encompassing totemic beliefs, life rituals, and daily practices. The research further examines how post-reform socio-economic changes have influenced traditional practices, leading to innovative patterns and technologies in brocade-making. Four methods of inheritance are also identified: family inheritance, cooperative inheritance, company inheritance, and government inheritance. Ultimately, the study highlights the importance of the Zhuang brocade in cultural preservation and social harmony in Guangxi, suggesting that its continued evolution is crucial for fostering ethnic identity and social stability in a rapidly changing China.