By Brenda Lee, New York Hakka Indigo Cultural Ambassador
Fate often finds us in the most unexpected ways. Through a wonderful chance, I discovered Taiping Blue and was honored to become a cultural ambassador with the Hakka Association of New York. From that moment, I began my journey of promoting indigo dyeing culture, allowing the beauty of indigo to flourish, even far from home. Thanks to the passionate efforts of our president, Ai-Lin Chung, we received an invitation from the East Coast Taiwanese Summer Camp in late 2024. On July 5, 2025, we held two indigo dyeing workshops, one for TANG (high school and college students) and one for TACEC (first- and second-generation Taiwanese immigrants). For us, this was both a rare opportunity to promote culture and a significant challenge.
We initially expected about 60 participants per session, based on our past event of around 40 people that ran smoothly with a few instructors. But when registration opened, the numbers skyrocketed — 125 at TANG and 84 at TACEC, totaling 209 participants, twice what we had planned for, with only 12 instructors. To make things tougher, the event time was cut from three hours to two. Thankfully, our president coordinated everything with precision, working closely with the organizers and recruiting 28 counselors to support the ambitious “Hundred-Person Indigo Dyeing Challenge.”
On July 4, 2025, our team drove three and a half hours to West Chester University, weary from the journey but full of determination. We spent the entire day setting up, preparing dye vats, fabric, and tools. Finally, the big day arrived. It was a beautiful day on July 5. The morning session welcomed 125 teenagers, while the afternoon brought 84 curious adult participants.
The workshops began with lectures by Flora Tang, Vanessa Peng, and Vera Peng, who introduced the history of indigo dyeing and the making of natural dyes. Their interesting lecture immediately bridged the gap between participants and this ancient craft. Then came the most anticipated moment, hands-on creation! Students folded, tied, and designed patterns before dipping their fabric into dye vats, oxidizing them again and again. As the once-white fabric transformed into layers of deep indigo, the room filled with gasps of delight, eyes sparkling with surprise and pride. In the end, dozens of unique indigo pieces shimmered under the sunlight like flowing blue poetry, an unforgettable testament to the power of culture.
From knowing nothing about indigo dyeing to mastering dye preparation, tying techniques, and completing finished works, I have gained far more than a skill. I have grown into a cultural ambassador to carry forward tradition. This journey was exhausting yet deeply fulfilling, and I am proud, not only of myself but also of the team that worked side by side. Every one of us was indispensable in this mission.
This was more than just a workshop, it was a cultural dialogue across time and space. In a distant land, sharing the traditional craft of home with people from diverse backgrounds gave us a profound sense of connection and pride. The memory of this experience will forever remain in our hearts.
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