What's behind the numerous migration of Chinese Miao throughout 5000 years of history
August 21st, 2009 at 04:27pm Under General
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. There were lots of reasons for their migration, but wars were always the cause.
The first big migration
Over 5,000 years ago, the Miao resided in the Yellow River and Yangtze River areas of central China. Chi You, a great general, was their leader. According to Miao stories, his copper head had a pair of horns sticking out, and his forehead was so brawny just like iron. Chi You is credited with creating the criminal law in his tribe, which was the first law in China.
Chi You directed the Miao to defeat 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 slain, and his body and head were buried in two sites which are far away from each other. His blood changed into a maple tree, according to Miao epics.
Although Chi You was dead, his soul and legend still awed his enemies, who drew his image on their flags to encourage their soldiers.Then the Chinese emperors recognized him as the god of war.
To commemorate Chi You, today the Miao wear a silver headress adorned with silver horns and long. And a maple tree is thought to be a special totem in the Miao areas.
After Chi You’s death, some Miao tribes were captured and mixed into the Chinese Han nationality. However the majority of Miao had to abandon their home and migrated 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. The Miao were continually badgered by the Han emperors and local rulers because of their position as an ethnic group. Because of the constant wars and persecution, the Miao had to migrate throughout China.
The Miao people started to reside in the mountainous areas of southern and southwestern China as early as 2,000 years ago.
Then just over 700 years ago, some Miao people moved to the countries of southeast Asia, like Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar. After the Vietnam War was finished in the 1970's, some Miao people became homeless and had to run to America, Europe and Australia. Today it is estimated that about 280,000 Miao people reside 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. Once you check their embroidery carefully, you will know that each embroidered piece has a meaning relating to their culture, history, and religion.
C. Liu has been studying and reserching splendid Miao culture for many years. She sometimes supports the work of some Miao silversmiths. Go to her website to learn more about Miao culture and see fine Miao silver jewelry here.
By writer Add comment