The Long Horn Miao are a small tribe of the Miao ethnic group. They don't wear silver jewelry like other Miao tribes, but have a big astonishing wooden horn in their hair.
There are about 5,000 Long Horn Miao people who live in a remote village at 1,800 meters above sea level. Until 1994, the village was unknown to the world.
The local people lead a pure, simple life, and have kept their ancient customs alive. The Flower Dancing Festival held between the 4th and 14th day of the first lunar month is for single youngsters to get together and seek for their lifelong partners. Usually children start to date when they are 12 or 13 years old.
Before the festival, boys will make straw sandals to dance in. They usually make a few additional sandals to give to the girls who grab their heart. Some people don't like straw sandals, so they use cowhide to make the sole and flax for the straps.
During the festival, boys and girls sing and dance in their beautiful ethnic clothes with Lusheng music in the background.
If a boy finds a girl he is interested in, he will follow her to the door of her home. Then they sing together. Usually one brings up a question, and another answers by singing. If the boy loses, he will have to lick a hammer used for pounding capsicum.
Only if he wins is the boy allowed to enter the girl's home. Then the two cook and eat together. The boy may spend the night there, but he can only sleep on a pile of straw in the living room.
The next morning after breakfast, they dress up and participate in the festival again. The happy celebration won't be over until evening.
Many funny things can happen during the festival. Sometimes a group of girls will go to a market with one boy and stop to look at shoes. Suddenly the girls grab a pair of straw shoes and run away. The boy has no choice but to pay for all the shoes the girls take.
If a girl finds a boy she likes, she will go and hold his arm. Then she pulls the boy out of the crowd and runs away.
If the boy also shows interest in the girl, they will make an agreement. After sunset, they go out together to have a private talk and sing love songs under the moon.
There are about 5,000 Long Horn Miao people who live in a remote village at 1,800 meters above sea level. Until 1994, the village was unknown to the world.
The local people lead a pure, simple life, and have kept their ancient customs alive. The Flower Dancing Festival held between the 4th and 14th day of the first lunar month is for single youngsters to get together and seek for their lifelong partners. Usually children start to date when they are 12 or 13 years old.
Before the festival, boys will make straw sandals to dance in. They usually make a few additional sandals to give to the girls who grab their heart. Some people don't like straw sandals, so they use cowhide to make the sole and flax for the straps.
During the festival, boys and girls sing and dance in their beautiful ethnic clothes with Lusheng music in the background.
If a boy finds a girl he is interested in, he will follow her to the door of her home. Then they sing together. Usually one brings up a question, and another answers by singing. If the boy loses, he will have to lick a hammer used for pounding capsicum.
Only if he wins is the boy allowed to enter the girl's home. Then the two cook and eat together. The boy may spend the night there, but he can only sleep on a pile of straw in the living room.
The next morning after breakfast, they dress up and participate in the festival again. The happy celebration won't be over until evening.
Many funny things can happen during the festival. Sometimes a group of girls will go to a market with one boy and stop to look at shoes. Suddenly the girls grab a pair of straw shoes and run away. The boy has no choice but to pay for all the shoes the girls take.
If a girl finds a boy she likes, she will go and hold his arm. Then she pulls the boy out of the crowd and runs away.
If the boy also shows interest in the girl, they will make an agreement. After sunset, they go out together to have a private talk and sing love songs under the moon.
About the Author:
C. Liu has been writing about handmade silver jewelry, for years. Sometimes she promotes the work of select artists. Go to her website to view some excellent Miao silver jewelry.
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