Contestants create art from naturally dyed sticky rice in Guizhou

Creative contestants recently produced works of art out of naturally dyed sticky rice at a competition in Wangmo county, Guizhou province.

Five-colored rice is a traditional festive dish among the local Bouyei ethnic group. It typically comes in black, red, yellow, purple, and white. The rice is soaked overnight in natural plant-based dyes, then steamed in wooden steamers until fragrant and ready to serve.

The competition was held as part of a local recreational fishing event. Luo Ruyu, a resident of Wangnan village, told local media that her family grew their award-winning glutinous rice themselves and used only natural plants to produce the different colors. "I'm delighted that our entry won first prize," she said. "We also won a sheep, which made us even happier."