Village of Miao Ethnic Minority in Yunnan Ethnic Villages, Kunming

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Overview of the Miao Ethnic Minority

The Miao (苗族) people primarily engage in mountainous agriculture and number approximately 1.2 million in Yunnan (云南), making them one of the largest ethnic minorities in the province. They are distributed throughout the province, with notable populations in counties such as Guangnan (广南), Jinping (金平), Pingbian (屏边), and Maguan (马关), each with populations exceeding 50,000. The Miao people practice ancestor worship and possess their own language and script, reflecting their identity as an ancient and migratory ethnic group, with roots tracing back over 5,000 years to figures such as Chi You (蚩尤), San Miao (三苗), and Nanman (南蛮).

Miao embroidery (苗绣) is unique to Yunnan, and the Miao Lusheng Dance (芦笙舞) is both exciting and enjoyable, with the Flower Mountain Festival (花山节) being a significant celebration, commonly referred to as the “踩花山” (Caihua Mountain).

Architectural Features

The Miao Village (苗族村) within Yunnan Ethnic Village is constructed in a mountainous environment that represents the typical Miao lifestyle. It features traditional architectural styles, including:

• Typical Wooden Houses (板房)
• Stilt Houses (吊脚楼)
• Country Churches (乡村教堂)

These structures capture the essence of Miao architecture. The residential buildings showcase Miao attire and handicrafts while reflecting the communal way of life.

Miao Mountain Flower Festival (苗族山花节)

The “Jumping Flower Festival” (跳花节) is a traditional festival rich in ethnic sentiment, primarily focused on courtship among young Miao men and women, as well as social entertainment for the community. Known also as “Jumping Moon” (跳月), “Caihua Mountain” (踩花山), or “Zhashan” (扎山), the festival does not have a fixed date across regions but generally occurs in the first lunar month or during spring.

In many Miao areas, the Lusheng Festival (芦笙节), celebrated with dance, also takes place, with dates varying by location but sharing similar themes and grand festivities.

Wax-Dyeing Craftsmanship

The Miao’s wax-dyeing (蜡染) craftsmanship has a history of over a thousand years and is widely circulated among the Miao community. The variety of floral patterns is rich and colorful, with products being exported both domestically and internationally. This craft has become a key focus of ethnic tourism development in regions such as Guizhou (贵州). Additionally, Miao clothing-making techniques have been included in the first batch of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection List (国家级非物质文化遗产保护名录).

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