news and events, popular topics, current events

Who are the Miao?

The Miao people are an ethnic group inhabiting mainly in China and southeast Asia. Over the past several thousand years, they have migrated numerous times throughout China, and these journeys are reflected in their unique handmade embroidery, silver jewelry, and batik artwork. Reasons for this movement varied a lot, but wars were the main cause.

The first big migration

Over 5,000 years ago, the Miao resided in the Yellow River and Yangtze River areas of central China. Chi You, a brave soldier, was their headman. Legend has it that he had a pair of horns projecting from his copper head, and his forehead was as strong as iron. The first law in China is the criminal law Chi You created in his tribe.

Chi You led the Miao to victory over many tribes. They were so clever that they could make various kinds of weapons, like swords, arrows, and spears.

However in a severe war against another big tribe, Chi you and his people were crushed. After he was killed, his body and head were buried in two places far apart. Like Miao stories say, the first maple tree was from his blood.

Chi You was dead, however his soul and story even touched the heart of his opponents, who drew his picture on their flags to inspire their soldiers.Afterward, he was respected as the god of war by the Chinese emperors.

Today the Miao commemorate Chi You by wearing a silver headdress decorated with silver horns. And a maple tree is thought to be a special totem in the Miao areas.

After Chi You died, some Miao groups were seized and merged into the Chinese Han nationality. However the majority of Miao had to abandon their home and migrated to the south of China.

Continued movement

Throughout most of Chinese history, the Han nationality has been the most powerful and has generally dominated the whole country. As minority group, the Miao were always persecuted and suppressed by the Han emperors and local officials. Due to wars and persecution, the Miao had to persistently move throughout China.

The Miao people started to reside in the mountainous areas of southern and southwestern China as early as 2,000 years ago. 

Then just over 700 years ago, some Miao people moved to the countries of southeast Asia, like Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar. With the end of the Vietnam War in the 1970's, some homeless Miao people escaped to America and Europe. Today about 280,000 Miao people live in western countries.

Today

Despite widespread migration, the Miao have kept their unique culture and tradition alive to this day.

They don't have historical texts, so they have invented a special way to remember the past----embroidery. Once you check their embroidery carefully, you will know that each embroidered piece has a meaning relating to their culture, history, and religion.

C. Liu has been studying interesting Miao culture for a few years. She sometimes supports the work of some Miao silversmiths. Go to her website to learn more about Miao culture and see fine Miao silver jewelry here.

melkay Current Events Chinese Culture, chinese history, Miao culture, Miao migration history, Miao silver jewelry, Miao silver ornaments, pendants, silver charm bracelet, silver earrings, silver rings

Who are the Miao?

Inhabiting the mountainous south and southwestern China, the Miao like to enjoy themselves during their happy holidays. They visit relatives and neighbors to sing, dance, and have big meals together. For young people, holidays are a good occasion to look for their significant other. Girls are especially beautiful on such occasions, with their huge sets of silver jewelry and embroidered garments.

The Miao New Year

Because they follow the lunar calendar, the Miao New Year can come in September, October, or November. Before the New Year, people give their house a general cleaning, and prepare some special food like rice wine, bean curd, and sticky rice paste. Women are happy with sewing new clothing for their family, especially for their children.

On New Year’s Eve, everybody stays up until midnight, then they light firecrackers to welcome dragons into their home. They will have a ceremony held after daybreak to worship their forebears. A cow is regarded as an auspicious animal, so its nose will be put some wine to show that people respect it. After breakfast, people go to their neighbors' home to say: "Happy New Year!".

On the first two days of the New Year, people are not allowed to cut wood on the mountains, or do cleaning work at home. Women won't cook, but men do.

Girls dress up with beautiful silver ornaments and embroidered garments to go to meet the boys. Some young fellows even go to other villages by walking to take part in various social activities.

The Miao make good use of the nine days of their new year. It's the golden time for young people to get married.

Huashan Festival

There are various Huashan, or “Flower Mountain,” festivals held in different Miao areas. Some are in August, and others are in January or May of the lunar calendar.

On that day, a pole is garnished with colorful flags and put at the heart of a playing field. At the top of the pole is a little red bag with bonus inside. A man declares the beginning of the festival, and a pole climbing game starts. The man who first reach the tip of the pole and catch the small bag, while playing his Lusheng instrument, will gain the reward. Climbing a pole while playing an instrument is quite difficult! Made from peeled pine timber, the pole is slender, smooth, and long. The champion will become the admiration of other people, especially the girls.

People can also enjoy other interesting games like archery and horse races, which are held at the same time. Women like to show others their outstanding sewing skills and the men compete with their pals to see who has the terrific physical strength.

Youngsters will at this time go out seeking for lovers. If they find someone they are interested in, they will give each other some presents, like a silver hairpin or waistband. Older people go to see friends, and may talk about many things like fishing and farming. The festival is over in the late evening.

Sister Festival: Miao Valentine’s Day

The Miao Sister Festival is also called Miao Valentine’s Day, as it’s a holiday for single women to invite young men from other villages to meet. The festival comes in mid-March of the lunar calendar.

On March 13th, Miao girls go to climb the mountains and look for some eatable flowers and leaves to dye their food. They then prepare sweet and colorful glutinous rice. The rice has five different colors. Blue typifies wealth, yellow stands for a good harvest, white indicates their true and pure love, green means their pretty hometown, and red hopes their village will go for prosperity.

The second day they go to fish mountain streams. In the afternoon they will buy a duck and duck eggs to prepare a big meal. The duck is needed because a swimming duck symbolizes the girls’ ability to meet men from the other side of the river.

In the evening, when the men finally come, they will dine together, then go outside to talk and sing songs to express their feelings. The girls will be sure to wear their most beautiful silver jewelry like silver bracelets, as this is a symbol of beauty and status in Miao culture.

Four days later, this Miao holiday is over. Various games and activities are held during this time, like horse races, bullfights, song competitions, and so on.

A basket of fish, meat and glutinous rice will be sent to the men by the girls before the men go back to their home. Some special things are put in the basket to show how they like the men. Cotton means they will always have their partner in their mind. A bunch of pine leaves implies they like to have some needles and thread. Pepper or garlic means the relationship won't work out.

The next year, when the men come again, they will bring some silk in these baskets for the girls.

Dragon Boat Festival

The Dragon Boat Festival falls on May 5 of the lunar calendar, and thousands of people gather together to watch the exciting boat races. The rival teams paddle their boats in the shape of dragons on a lake or river, with drums beaten and loud firecrackers set off from the banks.

April 8 Festival

The April 8th festival is held to remember the Miao’s hero Yanu, who died on this day while fighting against an invading tribe. The Miao will get together to hold traditional activities like playing Lusheng music, singing, and performing the lion dance.

melkay Current Events Asia, Chinese holidays, Christmas, holidays, Miao culture, New Year, pendants, silver bracelets, silver earrings, silver jewelry, silver necklaces, silver ornaments, silver rings, Valentine's Day