What's behind the numerous migration of Chinese Miao throughout 5000 years of history

Who are the Miao?

As an ethnic group, the Miao people mainly live 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. Their leader, Chi You, was a great warrior. Legend has it that he had a pair of horns projecting from his copper head, and his forehead was as strong as iron. Chi You is believed to create the criminal law in his clan, which was the first Chinese law.

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.

Chi you and his tribe were smashed in a big war against another powerful tribe. He was murdered, and his body and head were placed in two different sites. Miao stories say the first maple trees grew out of 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.Soon the Chinese emperors bestowed high praise on him and gave him the name " God of War".

In order to remember Chi You, today in Miao's holidays people would dress themselves with a big silver headdress adorned with silver horns and long. Also, a maple tree is considered to be a special totem among the Miao.

After Chi You’s death, some Miao tribes were captured and mixed into the Chinese Han nationality. But the majority of them had to discard their home and went 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. Being an ethnic group, the Miao were persistently tormented and oppressed by the emperors and local officials. The Miao had to constantly migrate throughout China because of wars and persecution.

About 2,000 years ago, the Miao settled in the mountainous areas of south and southwestern China, where most Miao people live today. 

Then just over 700 years ago, some Miao people moved to the countries of southeast Asia, like Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar. Following the end of the Vietnam War in the 1970's, some Miao refugees immigrated to Europe, America, and Australia. Now about 280,000 Miao residents dwell in western countries.

Today

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

As the Miao don't have a written language, the art of embroidery is their unique way to remember their history. While enjoying their embroidery, you will find each embroidered piece means something that is about their history, culture, and belief.

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

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