Interesting stories of Chinese Miao holidays

Who are the Miao?

Inhabiting the mountainous south and southwestern China, the Miao like to enjoy themselves during their happy holidays. They sing, dance, and prepare big meals to feast on with friends and neighbors. Holidays offer a good opportunity for young people to seek for their lovers. 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. Some people put wine on the nose of a cow to express their appreciation for the hard work the cow has done during the past year. After breakfast, people go to see their neighbors and say to each other "Happy New Year!".

On the first two days of the New Year, the Miao don't do any cleaning work at home, and they are forbidden to chop wood on the mountains. Women are liberated from housework like cooking, and men will cook for their family.

Girls dress up with beautiful silver ornaments and embroidered garments to go to meet the boys. Some young men will go to other villages on foot to join in different kinds of social activities.

The Miao New Year lasts nine days. Lots of people get married at this time.

Huashan Festival

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

On that day, a pole decorated with colorful flags is set up in the center of a playground. 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 first man who climb to the top of the pole to catch the pouch, while playing Lusheng instrument, will have the reward. It's difficult for anyone to climb a pole whilst play an instrument! Made from peeled pine timber, the pole is slender, smooth, and long. The winner will be regarded as a hero, especially by the girls.

People can also enjoy other interesting games like archery and horse races, which are held at the same time. Women show great interest in exhibiting their perfect sewing skills and the men are busy displaying their superior physical strength.

This is also good occasion for single young people to seek for lovers. If they find someone who grab their hearts, they will give some private things to each other, such as a waistband or silver hair pin. Elderly people go to see friends and exchange their thoughts about farming and current affairs. The festival won't be over until very late in the 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 the mountains to pick special leaves and flowers used as food dyes. They then prepare sweet and colorful glutinous rice. The rice has five different colors. White stands for their true love, blue or violet indicates wealth, yellow means a big harvest, green implies their wonderful hometown, and red wishes their village will have a prosperous tomorrow.

The next day they go fishing to catch some fish and freshwater shrimp. After get some duck and duck eggs, they will cook a big meal in the afternoon. The duck is a must, as a swimming duck indicates the girls have the right to get together with the men from the other side of the river.

When the men come in the evening, they will eat together while chat to exchange their ideas. 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.

This Miao festival lasts four days, until March 17th. Many different kinds of activities and sports are held at this time, such as bullfight and horse races.

Before the men go back to their home, the girls will present them bamboo baskets with duck, eggs, fish, and glutinous rice. Some special things are put in the basket to show how they like the men. Cotton means they will miss the men who go back home. A bunch of pine leaves means they want some needles and thread. Pepper or garlic tells their relationship is over.

When the men come to visit again the next year, they will bring the girls some silk in these baskets.

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 hold some activities like performing the lion dance, and playing Lusheng music.

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