Traditional shoes for Yugur women. [Photo/IC]

"Now Yugur women prefer lighter and more convenient clothes and only wear the traditional dress occasionally, say, on festivals or ceremonies. It has turned from a necessity into a decoration to Yugur women," Naoer Jisi said.

She came to Lanzhou in 1983 to promote Yugur culture by establishing a Yugur choir. Members would wear the traditional dress, narrate Yugur tales and sing Yugur songs.

"The traditional dress is materialized Yugur culture. We want to show it to the public and let people know more about our tradition and culture," she said.