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modern Chinese dance
drama Tibetan Antelope.
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Domestic sheep cannot defend themselves against predators. They are
somewhat timid, not very curious, tend to be obedient, and learn to
recognize their shepherd, guard dog or owner. These personality traits
have given rise to the following expressions, poetry and silly sayings.
"Mary had a little lamb, its fleece was white as snow. And
everywhere that Mary went the lamb was sure to go."
"Don't think like a sheep if you want to be a tiger."
"Wearing a sheepish look on his face as he was caught red-handed
with his hand in the cookie jar."
"She was making sheep's eyes at the handsome hunter."
"Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep and doesn't know where
to find them. Leave them alone, they'll come home, dragging their
tails behind them."
"As gentle as a lamb."
Wild sheep have keen eyesight and a fine sense of smell. They are
alert, speedy and extremely surefooted. Normally these traits are
their only means of survival against predators. However in the case
of some wild sheep with very large heavy horns, coupled with strongly
developed butting instincts, even large cats and wild dogs are frequently
injured or frightened off. Some say that wild sheep have hair rather
than a woolen coat.
Throughout northern China, in the villages and the city hutongs*,
you will see women knitting. They knit while they walk, while they
talk, while they mind their children or while they tend their animals.
In fact before the crops are in or the wood collected, the women
have started to knit another sweater, hat or set of ear coverings.
All spare moments are used to ensure that their family members will
be insulated against the cold winter ahead - insulated with wool
- just like sheep!
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Traditional Tibetan sheepskin coat.
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In Inner Mongolia and western China, the wool is felted* into carpets,
hats, liners for boots, boots themselves, and of course the covering
of the famous yurt or ger*.
In Tibet the fleece of the sheep is felted and made into horse blankets
and door coverings. Every Tibetan, young or old wears a traditional
coat lined with soft lambskin.
In Ningxia, Xinjiang and other Muslim parts of China, the men wear
heavy black coats lined with sheepskin. Their hats are similarly
lined, and they cover themselves with sheepskins at night.
Miao minority people in Guizhou, Guangxi and northern Yunnan use
felted sheep's wool as a backing for baby carriers - for warmth
in the cold months and to protect the mother's back from rubbing
as she carries her child on her back while she works.
In fact, many of China's minorities depend heavily on the sheep
to sustain their lives.
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