Traditional festivals of the Miao people
The traditional festivals of the Miao people include the Miao New Year, April 8th, the Dragon Boat Festival, the New Eating Festival, the Autumn Festival, etc. Among them, the Miao New Year is the most grand. The Miao Year is equivalent to the Spring Festival of the Han people, usually held after autumn. On the morning of the festival, people place cooked delicacies on the stove next to the fire pit to worship their ancestors, and rub wine on the nose of the cow to show reward for their hard work for a year. Young men and women in costumes danced the hall dance.
Miao Nian
Miao Nian is a traditional festival for the Miao people in Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture of Guizhou Province, Rongshui Miao Autonomous County of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and other places to celebrate the harvest and pray for good weather in the coming year. . Generally after the harvest season, some are held on the 10th day of the lunar calendar, and some are held on the 9th, 10th and 11th lunar calendar on the Mao (Rabbit) day or the Chou (Ox) day. It is equivalent to the Spring Festival of the Han people.
On the morning of the festival, the younger generations will reverently place the prepared delicacies on the stove next to the fire pit to worship their ancestors. Rub some wine on the nose of the cow as a reward for its hard work for a year. Girls wear brightly colored batik trousers or long and short pleated skirts with different styles, embroidered edges or embroidery, and eye-catching earrings, bracelets and other silver ornaments, dancing with handsome young men. Dancing in the hall (men play the Lusheng and women dance in an arc). At night, the sound of big bronze drums spread throughout the village. Young men from other villages carry lanterns and play flutes to the "youfang" field near the village to have fun (also known as "sitting on the girl", "sitting on the village", "stepping on the moon", etc., that is, social love activities of young men and women). Singing continues in every village. Through antiphonal singing, the lovers are connected together by the object of love - the brocade ribbon embroidered with mandarin ducks.
If Miao Nian meets the "Eating Drum and Tibet" year, it will be more grand. "Drum" means "big family", and "Guzang" is an ancestor worship ceremony held jointly by family members. , held once every few years, ranging from seven to eight to ten years. In front of the "Guzang", the "Guzang" cows (large bulls that have been fed to the God of Guzang for three years) are lined up for wrestling. At that time, the "Gu Zangtou" recommended by everyone will preside over the ceremony, killing cattle to worship ancestors, and also killing chickens and ducks. Relatives from all over the country came to participate, and the event lasted for more than ten days.
Eating New Crop Festival
Also called "New Crop Festival". "Eating New Things" is one of the festivals of the Miao people living in the middle and upper reaches of Qingshui River and Duliu River. There is no uniform set date. According to custom, during the harvest season, everyone will find a field where the rice grows best, and everyone will celebrate the "New Eating Festival" here. It is said that in ancient times, there was no millet in the world, only the millet controlled by the God of Thunder (Thunder God) in the sky. People had to hunt to make a living. In order to obtain grain seeds, the ancestors of the Miao people asked for help and took 9,999 kinds of rare birds and animals to the Millet Country in exchange for nine buckets, nine liters and nine bowls of grain seeds, and put them in the warehouse for sowing in the coming spring. But one night, Awuyou, who had very long arms, scratched the sky with his hands, stepped on stones and pounded fern roots by the light of the sky lantern, and accidentally knocked over the sky lantern, which fell into the wooden warehouse. Top. As a result, a fire broke out, and the fire burned bigger and bigger. Gu Zhong cried and screamed in the warehouse, and finally flew into the sky on the smoke and ran back to Gaohu's home. Gao Lao went to Gao Hu and asked him to persuade him to return the grain seeds, but Gao Hu insisted that the grain seeds had not reached heaven. There was no other way, so Gao Lao discussed with Gao Hu and exchanged 9999 kinds of rare birds and animals for grain seeds. Nine layers of skin were worn out on his mouth, nine jars of water dried up in his throat, and he refused to comply even if he begged for life or death. After thinking about it for nine days and nights, Qiao Lao finally came up with a plan: when the millet was ripe, he would send a dog to roll around in the rice field and let the millet be brought back with its fur. On the morning of the 13th day of the seventh month in the ancient calendar, the dog was about to set off, and he asked for help: He wanted to collect grain seeds with stalks five feet high and ears five feet long. But because the dog was walking too fast, when he arrived at the south gate, he accidentally tripped and mistook the words he told me. As a result, he ran into a rice field that was only five inches long. He rolled a few times and ran back. . Defendant Hu discovered the plan. When the dog reached the overpass, Gaohu sent ninety-nine strong warriors to guard the bridge. They knocked the dog down into the Tianhe River. They thought that the Tianhe River was wide and deep, and the dog would only die. One piece. But they never expected that after the dog fell into the Tianhe River, he quickly lifted his tail high out of the water and swam back across the Tianhe River with great effort, with nine grains of grains on his tail.
When I got the grain seeds, I quickly plowed the fields and removed the seeds. On June 6 in the ancient calendar, a bunch of ears of grain like a dog's tail came out from the top of the seedlings. A month later, the shining golden ears of grain matured. The thirteenth day of the seventh month in the ancient calendar was the day when grain seeds were harvested. On this day, I picked nine liters of millet and cooked a large pot of fragrant white rice. He first scooped out three large bowls for the dogs to eat, and then tried something new for himself. The remaining grain seeds are sown every year so that people can eat white rice. In order to remember the day of harvesting grain seeds, July 13th was designated as the New Eating Festival, which has been passed down. On the festival day, every family cooks with new grains. As soon as dawn breaks, people bring new rice, wine, chickens, ducks, fish, and meat to the fields. After offering sacrifices to their ancestors, the banquet begins, and everyone forms a circle. , each person raised the wine glass in his hand to the lips of the next person. The old man gave the order, and everyone cheered three times in succession, then toasted each other and drank the wine in one gulp. Suddenly laughter echoed in the fields, and traditional cultural and sports activities such as antiphonal singing, pond stepping, and Lusheng dancing began until dusk.
April 8th
The eighth day of April in the lunar calendar is a traditional festival for the Miao people near Guiyang City, Guizhou Province to commemorate the ancient hero "Yanu". According to legend, a long time ago, the Miao people recuperated in the prosperous Grogesang (near today's Guiyang) and lived a happy, contented and well-fed life. In order to resist the attack of the ruler's officers and soldiers, the resourceful leader "Yanu" led his people to fight bravely and dealt a heavy blow to the intruders. However, he was ultimately outnumbered and unfortunately died on the eighth day of April and was buried in "Jia Bashi" (now Guiyang). (near the city fountain). In order to commemorate the hero "Yanu", every eighth day of the fourth month of the lunar calendar, Miao people dressed in festive costumes gather from all directions to gather at the fountain in Guiyang City.
At that time, the red flag will be fluttering next to the fountain, and people will flock to it. They will play the sheng and flute, sing antiphonal songs, play lions, play with dragon lanterns, play ball, and compete in martial arts. The young men's reed pipe competition is very interesting. They play the reed pipe while doing tricks such as rapid spins, short steps, and handstands. At night, Guiyang City and the fountain area are brightly lit, just like daytime, with singing and dancing everywhere, creating a joyful scene.
April 8th activities are also popular among the Miao people in Sichuan, Hubei, Hunan, Guizhou and other places.
Zhouxi Lusheng Festival
The Miao people living in the Zhouxi area of ??Kaili. The Lusheng Festival is celebrated from the 16th to the 20th of the first lunar month. Lusheng Hall is located on the river sand dam next to the well ridge of Zhouxi River. In the early morning of the 16th day of the first lunar month, several old people who presided over the Lusheng Hall carried the Lusheng to the well to check the inscription and read: "Blowing the Sheng and lifting the moon is an entertainment activity that has been popular among the Miao people for thousands of years. Every New Year's Day , all over the country followed suit, celebrating the New Year with entertainment, and making it a good time for our Miao people to get married freely..." After reciting, pour out the rice wine in the gourd, spray the wine on the stele and in the center of the Lusheng Hall for a few times, and then everyone drinks again. After a long gulp, the first Luzhu song was played; at this time, girls and boys wearing silver flower jewelry and gorgeous festival costumes danced to the sweet tune. The young men ask for flower ribbons from the people they like, and the girls tie the flower ribbons on the reed pipes of the young people they like. Three days passed, and the young men and women each found a partner in their hearts. At this time, the old man who presided over the Lusheng Hall still carried rice wine on his back and sprayed rice wine on the stele and the Lusheng Hall. A grass sign is placed in the center of the hall. From then on, the reed instrument was hung high until the grain returned to the warehouse, which was the "Miao Year" in the lunar calendar, and then it could be taken down and played until the Lusheng Festival. The fourth day is Spring Festival, when young couples talk and sing freely, mingle with each other and send tokens to each other.
Dragon Boat Festival
The Dragon Boat Festival is from the 24th to the 27th of the fifth lunar month every year. At this time, thousands of people dressed in costumes gather on the riverside to participate in the sacrificial activities before the dragon boat departure. . At the beginning of the competition, dozens of dragon boats advanced through the waves, gongs, drums and salutes from both sides of the Taiwan Strait were fired, and the audience roared with earth-shattering shouts. Activities such as antiphonal singing and Lusheng dance were also held on the shore. At night, before the fun is over, young men and women gather together to sing to each other and express their true feelings.
Fishing Festival
The Fishing Festival is a festival of the Miao people on both sides of the Dumu River and Nanming River in central Guizhou. The Dumu River originates from Yunwu Mountain, flows northward in Guizhou to the junction of Youli and Fulai, joins the Nanming River, and then flows northward into the Wujiang River. This festival was originally a rain festival when the Miao people prayed to the Dragon King for rain by the river when water was needed for sowing and transplanting rice. However, over time, it gradually evolved into a fishing festival.
Hakka Year
The Hakka Year of the Miao people is the Spring Festival. On the 30th night of the lunar calendar, families gather together and no outsiders are allowed to disturb them. They left the door ajar and set off firecrackers to show that no one was allowed in at this time. In the early morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year, firecrackers continue to be set off to respect ancestors and eliminate evil. People use their hands to make cattle and sheep stalls, and say: "Driving cattle, driving sheep..." to show that the six animals are prosperous, and then eat the New Year's meal. Starting from the second day of the Lunar New Year, Miao people dressed in costumes visit each other's homes to congratulate each other on the festival. A hospitable host should toast three glasses of wine to his guests. Every house is filled with holiday joy. Young men and women gather on the lawn next to the village front village, playing the reed pipe, playing the yueqin, dancing and singing. In some places, activities such as "stepping on the flower mountain" and "bringing cattle" are held.
Drying Bridge Festival
A traditional festival in Zhaitou, Miao Township, Sansui County, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou, also called "February 2". It is said that the people of Zhaitou originally lived in Yewu Mountain. Because the land in Zhaitou was fertile, the whole village people moved into Zhaitou together. On the day of moving, Long had to move with him, but the Shiping River blocked the way of Long. So the Gouluo (elders) in the village discussed and decided to build a bridge to bring Long over, because the dragon symbolizes good luck and happiness. All twelve houses in the village had to be connected, so this bridge was built with twelve piers. After the bridge was built, it was named "Jielong Bridge". The bridge was built on the second day of the second lunar month. To commemorate this day, every year on this day, a pig is carried from each of the twelve houses of the Miao family in Zhaitou and slaughtered on the bridge.
Dragon Boat Festival
The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as the "Dragon Boat Festival" in some places, is held in Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Songtao Miao Autonomous County and Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture in Guizhou Province. The traditional festival of the Miao people is usually held on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month.
At that time, by the Qingshui River, colorful flags are flying, people are like a sea, and songs are like a tide. Dozens of newly decorated green, red and yellow dragon boats are lined up and parked at the starting line of the competition. superior. The banners of "good weather" and "abundant grain harvest" were buzzing in the wind. There are thirty or forty athletes on each boat, wearing double-breasted shorts, embroidered belts around their waists, indanthrine trousers, and exquisite bamboo hats on their heads. They are all in high spirits and ready for action. The respected drum master and the handsome young man beat the drums and shouted, commanding the dragon boat to march on the wide river. The dragon boat was like an arrow flying off the string, and the cheers and cheers from both sides of the bank resounded in the sky. At the end of the competition, young men and women danced to the sounds of music such as Lusheng, Chuina, Bamboo Flute, Mangtong, Yueqin, and Konoha. Horse racing, bullfighting, drumming and "touring" activities are held together, adding to the rich atmosphere of the festival. During the festival, the married girl returns to her parents' home with a load of chickens, ducks, and brown rice cakes.
Sisters Festival
A traditional festival of the Miao people. Popular in the Miao ethnic area of ??southeastern Guizhou, Guizhou Province. Every spring, the Miao women there celebrate a "Sisters' Festival" and eat a "Sisters' Meal". On the morning of the festival, the girls in the village go to the fields to catch fish and prepare "sister rice". No matter which field they go to catch fish, they will be welcomed. After the women finished eating the "sisters' rice", they each brought the colored glutinous rice prepared in advance and went to Youfangchang to sing to the young men. If a young man wants to eat glutinous rice, he must win the antiphonal song. In addition to antiphonal singing, women can participate in various entertainment activities at will. Married girls also have to go back to their parents' home to celebrate "Sisters' Day".
Mountain Climbing Festival
The Miao people’s Mountain Climbing Festival, also known as the “Horse Climbing Festival”, has a history of thousands of years. It is celebrated every year on the “Horse Day” in late March of the lunar calendar. (In ancient times, the twelve zodiac signs were used to record dates), which is held on the 19th day of the third month of the lunar calendar. At that time, the Miao people living in the Kaili area of ??southeastern Guizhou gathered on Xianglu Mountain. They sang and fought with birds on the mountain, and it was very lively. The young men and women sang and climbed along the winding mountain path to the top of the mountain. Singing along the way, the Miao people's flying songs, love songs, drinking songs, and ancient songs fill the hillside. The first one to reach the top of the mountain is known as the "climbing hero" and is respected by everyone. Be favored by girls. It is said that the Xianglu Mountain Mountain Climbing Festival commemorates Abu, a handsome young man of the Miao ethnic group, and Abie, the youngest daughter of the Jade Emperor. Abie, the youngest daughter of the Jade Emperor, yearned for a free life in the world, so she flew down from the top of the mountain, married the smart, capable, honest and kind-hearted Abu, and had three daughters. One morning when the whole family was enjoying themselves, a cock crowed for the first time. The Jade Emperor stipulates that when the rooster crows three times a day, it is the time to worship. If Abie cannot arrive in time, disaster will be imminent.
The anxious Abie climbed up to the top of the mountain and collapsed six floors with one kick while flying towards the sky. Without the top of the mountain, Abie could no longer descend to the earth. The Jade Emperor also punished Abu to become an incense burner for burning incense because he could not enjoy the incense in the world without the top of the mountain. In order to commemorate the loyal love between Abie and Abu, the Miao family celebrates the annual mountain climbing festival on the day when Abu turns into an incense burner.
Fish Killing Festival
The Miao people living in Guiding, Guizhou Province celebrate the Fish Killing Festival every year on the ninth day of the third lunar month. On this day, people get up early and come to the river, fork fresh fish from the river, cook and eat by the river, sing folk songs and blow reeds while eating, and wish for good weather and good harvests.
Onion Picking Festival
It is a gathering of Miao youth in Wengpaipo, Baojing County, western Hunan. Legend has it that a long time ago, Adare, the daughter of a native official of the Miao village, fell in love with Yannuo, a cowherd of the Miao family in Bangsha. The local official was so angry that he said: "How can a phoenix bird sleep with a nail sparrow?" The old man in Yannuo also advised Yannuo: "Honeysuckle and Dibacai cannot have the same heart." Adala was locked in the stilted building. Inside, can't go out. Yannuo drives his cattle home every evening and runs from Bangsha to Laozi Village to see his beloved girl. Adara, who lost his freedom, sang: "The kingfisher is locked in a bamboo cage, hanging on the flowers on the mountain. The birds look forward to the flowers, and the flowers look forward to the birds. We only meet each other when we pick green flowers during the Qingming Festival." "Picking greens during the Qingming Festival" is a Miao girl. On the day of Qingming, people go up the mountain to pick gourds and onions and ask for the blessing of the mountain god. Yannuo understood what the girl meant and hurriedly sang: "The vines that were torn off the tree are curled up on the ground. The vines are withered and the leaves are withered. I am so lonely and miserable. I hope for the Qingming Festival and the spring rain. I will entangle myself in the village and never leave again." Qingming Festival On this day, the two of them left home early and happened to meet each other while walking on the lush gourd-covered Wengpai slope. Their loyal love for each other moved Fairy Gourd Cong and contributed to their beautiful marriage. Therefore, every year during the Qingming Festival, young Miao women put on festive costumes, bring steamed "Qingming Baba", hold onion picks and knives in their hands, and young men hold sand knives. They all gather on Wengpai Slope to sing to each other to choose a mate. This is the annual "Onion Picking Party".
Drum Sacrifice Festival
This is the traditional ancestor worship festival of the Miao people. There is a big sacrifice every twelve years and a small sacrifice every six or seven years. Legend has it that the human mother "Meibang Meiliu" was born from the heart of the maple tree. After they die, they have to return to the maple tree. After death, the souls of people have to return to their hometown to rest in peace. The ancestor's hometown is in the heart of the tree, and the wooden drum symbolizes the resting place of the ancestor. Later, when worshiping ancestors, "ancestral worship" became "ancestral sacrifice". It has been followed to this day that worshiping drums means worshiping ancestors. Drum sacrifices are held in units of "簪leu". A "簪" is a blood-related relative passed down from an ancestor. They jointly worship a wooden drum that they believe the ancestor's soul lives in. On the day of the Drum Festival, each family prepares a water-glued cow, or several families can prepare one, or buy some beef. The cattle are first allowed to fight, with hundreds of cattle fighting together. The scene is very spectacular, and then they are slaughtered for sacrifice. According to custom, no matter whether they are relatives and friends who come to celebrate, guests who come to watch the bullfight, or passing vendors, they are all allowed to stay and are not allowed to leave. The more people there are, the more glorious the host's face will be. Flower Dance Festival
Miao traditional festival. Popular in Guanling area of ??Guizhou. This is the longest and largest festival of the Miao people in Guanling area. It is said to be an entertainment event for couples who have been barren for many years. It's far beyond that now. The program is mostly held in the first month and lasts for about three days. During the day, play the Lusheng and the mouth string, sing and dance. In the evening, they sang antiphonally and talked about love. The old people gathered around the bonfire to drink and talk. There are sometimes tens of thousands of participants, with men, women, old and children competing to attend the meeting.