War Stories

The interesting migration history of Chinese Miao

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. 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 created the first Chinese law, a criminal law in his clan.

Directed by Chi You, the Miao triumphed over many clans. They were smart enough to produce different kinds of weapons, such as spears, bows, arrows, and swords.

But in a famous war with another mighty tribe, Chi You and his tribe were destroyed. He was murdered, and his body and head were placed in two different sites. It's said that the first maple tree was from 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.Later on, he was regarded as the god of war by the Chinese emperors.

Today the Miao commemorate Chi You by wearing a silver headdress decorated with silver horns. And a maple tree is regarded as a totem in Miao culture.

After Chi You died, some Miao groups were seized and merged into the Chinese Han nationality. 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. Being an ethnic group, the Miao were persistently tormented and oppressed by the emperors and local officials. Due to wars and persecution, the Miao had to persistently move throughout China.

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. 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 about 280,000 Miao people live 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. 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.

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