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Interesting stories of Chinese Miao holidays
Who are the Miao?
Residing in the remote mountainous areas of south and southwestern China, the Miao know how to celebrate life during their exciting 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 at this time will prepare new clothes for their family.
Everyone stays up until midnight on New Year's Eve, then they take dragons into their home by lighting firecrackers. They will have a ceremony held after daybreak to worship their forebears. Some people put wine on the nose of a cow to show their respect for this diligent animal. After breakfast, people visit neighbors to send New Year’s wishes and greetings.
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 New Year lasts nine days. Many people have their weddings held during this time.
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, people will adorn a pole with colorful flags and place it at the center of a playground. At the top of the pole there is a small red bag with money 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. It's not easy to climb a pole and at the same time to play an instrument! Made from peeled pine timber, the pole is slender, smooth, and long. The champion will become the admiration of other people, especially the girls.
Other games, like horse races, bullfights, and archery, are also held during the festival. Women show great interest in exhibiting their perfect sewing skills and the men are busy displaying their superior physical strength.
Single young people will use the occasion to sing love song and look for lovers. And swap presents between each other when they find their lovers. 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 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. Green symbolizes their beautiful hometown, red indicates the prosperity of their village, yellow wishes for a golden harvest, blue or violet stands for wealth, and white implies their pure and true love.
The next day they go fishing to catch some fish and freshwater shrimp. In the afternoon, they go to buy some duck and duck eggs to prepare a great meal. 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. 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 miss their presence. A bundle of pine leaves indicates they need some thread and needles. Pepper or garlic indicates they won't have future.
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 get together to hold traditional activities like playing Lusheng music, singing, and performing the lion dance.
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