Minority Peoples

What's behind the numerous migration of Chinese Miao throughout 5000 years of history

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. 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 headman, Chi You, was a heroic soldier. 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 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 good at making all kinds of weapons, like spears, swords, bows, and arrows.

Chi you and his tribe were smashed in a big war against another powerful tribe. After he was killed, his body and head were buried in two places far apart. According to Miao epics, the first maple tree came from his blood.

Chi You died, but his soul and story influenced many of his opponents, who painted his picture on their flags to cheer up their soldiers.Later on, he was regarded as the god of war by the Chinese emperors.

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. As a totem, a maple tree in Miao culture has a special meaning.

After Chi You died, some Miao groups were seized and merged into the Chinese Han nationality. However most Miao people had to left their hometown for 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. As an ethnic group, the Miao were consistently tortured by the arbitrary local rulers. 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. With the end of the Vietnam War in the 1970's, some homeless Miao people escaped to America and Europe. 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.

As the Miao don't have a written language, the art of embroidery is their unique way to remember their history. When watching their embroidery work, you will be surprised to find that every embroidered design implicates something of their religion, history, and culture.

C. Liu has been studying and reserching splendid Miao culture for many years. From time to time she supports the work of some Miao artisans. Go to her website to learn more about Miao culture and see fine Miao silver jewelry here.

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