The migration stories of Miao minority group in China
Who are the Miao?
The Miao are an ethnic group, most of which dwell in the mountainous areas of southwestern China, and some in 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 headman, Chi You, was a heroic soldier. Legend has it that he had a pair of horns projecting from his copper head, and his forehead was as strong as iron. The first law in China is the criminal law Chi You created in his tribe.
Chi You led the Miao to victory over many tribes. They were excellent at manufacturing various kinds of swords, spears, arrows, and bows.
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. Legend has it that the first maple tree 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. And a maple tree is thought to be a special totem in the Miao areas.
After Chi You died, some Miao clans were taken captive and mingled with Han, a leading nationality in China. However most of them had to give up everything in their hometown and escaped to the south areas of China.
Continued movement
Throughout most of Chinese history, the Han nationality has been the most powerful and has generally dominated the whole country. Because the Miao were an ethnic group in Chinese history, so they were constantly harassed by the Han rulers. The Miao had to constantly migrate throughout China because of wars and persecution.
About 2,000 years ago, the Miao came to the mountainous areas of southern and southwestern China, and dwelled in there till this days.
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.
Without a written language, they put their memory of the past onto their colorful embroidered garments. If you look at their embroidery in detail, you will see each piece of embroidery means something that closely relates to their culture, history, and belief.
C. Liu has been studying and researching Miao culture for a long time. Occasionally she supports the work of certain Miao artists. Go to her website to learn more about Miao culture and see fine Miao silver jewelry here.