Batik Painting, 'Bull Fight Letter Holder'

This hand-painted batik letter holder presents the image of two young Miao dressed in traditional festival clothes, playing the Lu Sheng and dancing around a bonfire. Two strong bulls go head to head below the dancing young men. This is the common scene from traditional festivals of the Miao ethnic people; bull fights are very popular among that ethnicity. However, unlike the Western practice, the bulls are not killed at the end of the fight: they are pitted against each other in a show of strength. The winner is determined after one of the combatants falls down or runs away. The two pockets on the bottom can keep your letters and bills organized.

Lu Sheng is a special wind instrument created by Miao people composed of many bamboo pipes in different sizes. It dates back over 2,000 years. The Lu Sheng has the highest tone, volume and audible distance of any instrument in the world. During the Lu Sheng festival, people of all ages adorn themselves in their best attire to celebrate the festival; single members of the village use the opportunity to court each other and find a mate.