China Commemorative
Discover the migration history of Miao minority group in China
Who are the Miao?
The Miao people are a small minority group who reside mainly 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. The first law in China is the criminal law Chi You created in his tribe.
Led by Chi You, the Miao beat lots of clans. They were good at making all kinds of weapons, like spears, swords, bows, and arrows.
Chi you and his people were ruined in a war with another powerful clan. He was killed, and his head and body were buried in two different places. His blood changed into a maple tree, according to Miao epics.
Chi You died, but his soul and story still held his opponents respect, and they painted a picture of him on their flags to rally their soldiers. Later, he was celebrated as the god of war by the Chinese emperors.
To commemorate Chi You, today the Miao wear a silver headress adorned with silver horns and long. And a maple tree is regarded as a totem in Miao culture.
After Chi You died, some Miao clans were taken captive and mingled with Han, a leading nationality in China. 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. Because the Miao were an ethnic group in Chinese history, so they were constantly harassed by the Han rulers. 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 in the 1970’s, some Miao refugees moved to America, Europe, and Australia. Today in western countries there are about 280,000 Miao residents.
Today
Despite widespread migration, the Miao have kept their unique culture and tradition alive to this day.
Because they don't have a written language, they remember their history in a unique way---- put them onto their embroidery work. 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. 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.
90th Communist Party Coin Set