Discover the migration history of Miao minority group in China
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. Their leader, Chi You, was a great warrior. It's said that he had a pair of horns sticking out from his copper head, and his forehead was as stout as iron. Chi You created the criminal law in his tribe, which was believed to be the first law in China.
Led by Chi You, the Miao beat lots of clans. 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 killed, and his head and body were buried in two different places. Legend has it that the first maple tree grew out of his blood.
Although Chi You was dead, his soul and legend still awed his enemies, who drew his image on their flags to encourage their soldiers. Later, he was celebrated as the god of war by the Chinese emperors.
Today the Miao commemorate Chi You by wearing a silver headdress decorated with silver horns. Also, a maple tree is considered to be a special totem among the Miao.
After Chi You died, some Miao clans were taken captive and mingled with Han, a leading nationality in China. But most Miao people had to give up their homeland and move 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. Due to wars and persecution, the Miao had to persistently move throughout China.
About 2,000 years ago, the Miao arrived at the mountainous areas of southern and southwestern China, and settled there till today.
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 in the 1970’s, some Miao refugees moved to America, Europe, 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.
They don't have historical texts, so they have invented a special way to remember the past----embroidery. 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 interesting Miao culture for a few years. 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.
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