Basics

Guizhou is home to dozens of ethnic minority groups. One of the largest is the Miao ethnic minority group. Over 3,600,000 people, half of China's Miao population live in Guizhou. With a history of over 4,000 years, the Miao are one of the oldest of China's minority groups. The Miao minority group can be found not only in Guizhou, but also in Hainan, Hubei, Sichuan, Gansu, Guizhou, Qinghai, Hunan, Guangdong, Yunnan, and Guangxi.

Lifestyle

Living mainly in mountainous regions, the Miao people live off farming and animal husbandry. The Miao people are famous for their hospitality, and community spirit. Families will work on each other's farms during harvesting or planting seasons, and during construction projects, half of the village will show up to help on the project.

The Miao people have several different dialects and did not have a written language until the 1950's. Before that history, traditions, and customs was passed on by singing and dancing. There are several sub groups in the Miao minority group. They are named for their unique clothing. In sub groups who live in Guizhou, the Black Miao, Big Flowery Miao, Small Flowery Miao and White Miao.

Distinctive and Beautiful Clothing

The silver in the Miao clothing is quite heavy

As with all Chinese minority groups, the Miao ethnic minority group have distinctive and beautiful clothing. The men of the Miao ethnic group wear a short jacket and trousers. The Miao women wear a blouse or long coat, long trousers with at least one skirt, broad waistbands, embroidered shoes, and various silver pieces attached to the clothing. Of special note are the headdresses worn by the women. When a couple has a daughter, they will immediately start saving money to have a silver headdress made that can often weigh more than 10 Kilograms. According to tradition, silver is a symbol of light and can scare off evil spirits and during a daughters first bath a piece of silver is dropped into the water to ensure the child will be healthy and wealthy.

Miao people are known for their embroidery. Young Miao girls are taught to embroider by their grandmother. To complete a complete set of Miao clothing usually takes a woman one to two years. Because the Miao people did not have a written language many of their legends, religion, and stories are incorporated into their embroidery designs. The most impressive piece of clothing is saved for major festivals. It is known as the Miao hundred bird coat. It is embroidered with hundreds of birds and dragons.

Festivals

The Miao minority group has numerous festivals each year. The biggest celebrations are held in the Town of Kaili. In Guizhou's town of Kaili, there are over 130 annual festivals held by various minority groups. The Miao host one of the largest known as the Lusheng Festival. It is held from the 11th to the 18th of the first lunar month on the Chinese calendar. The lusheng is a reed instrument used by the Miao people.

As the name suggests, this festival is largely about music. Around 1,000 people play the lusheng together. It is a marvelous site. The festival also has dancing, drumming, bull fighting, and horse racing. Annually around 30,000 people participate in the festival, many of them visitors from other countries. The Miao New Year celebration is held during the first four days of the 10th month on the Chinese calendar. Over 50,000 people attend this festival. The festivals are lively, colorful, and visitors are always graciously welcomed to join in the festivities.

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