Colorful Chinese Miao holidays: relaxation and excitement
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. Holidays are especially a good time for youngsters 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 at this time will prepare new clothes for their family.
People stay up until midnight on New Year's Eve, then they go outside to light firecrackers to invite dragons into their home. After daybreak, they will hold a ceremony to worship their ancestors. Some people put wine on the nose of a cow to show their respect for this diligent animal. 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 don't need to cook, but men have to do that.
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 New Year is over after nine exciting days. 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 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. The pole climbing starts when a man announces the beginning of the festival. The man who first get to the top of the pole to take the small bag, and at the same time playing his Lusheng instrument, will win the reward. It's hard to climb a pole with playing an instrument at the same time! The pole, made of peeled pine wood, is tall, smooth, and thin. The winner will be regarded as a hero, especially by the girls.
During the festival, people also have other sports, such as archery and horse races held. Women like to show each other their great sewing skills and the men are busy displaying their 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 lasts until 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 happens in mid-March on the lunar calendar.
On March 13th, girls go to pick some specific flowers and leaves in the mountains for their food dyes. They then prepare sweet and colorful glutinous rice. The rice has five beautiful and bright colors. Green represents their lovely hometown, yellow implies a golden harvest, blue indicates rich, white stands for their true love, and red wishes their village will have a bright future.
The second day they go fishing to find some shrimp and fish. In the afternoon they will be busy with preparing a luxurious meal including fish, duck, and duck eggs. Their meal can't lack the duck, because a swimming duck means the girls are able to meet men from the other side of the river.
After the men finally arrive in the evening, they will chat, sing love songs, and eat dinner together. 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. 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 specific things are placed in the basket to show their feelings of the men. Cotton means they will miss their presence. A bundle of pine leaves indicates they need some thread and needles. Pepper or garlic tells their relationship is over.
The men will bring some silk in these baskets for the girls when they come again next year.
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 row their boats in the shape of dragons on a lake or river, while drums are beaten loudly and firecrackers are 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.
Wood Duck 2008