The Miao New Year, as a grand festival for the Miao people, is usually held after the autumn harvest, marking the successful end of a year of hard work. This festival carries multiple meanings: firstly, it commemorates the heroic sacrifice of the Miao ancestor Chiyou in the tribal wars of ancient times; The second is to celebrate the bountiful harvest in the farmland; The third is to hold solemn sacrificial ceremonies to express respect to ancestors, gods, and natural elements such as maple trees, bamboo, rocks, and water wells that are regarded as guardians. There is no clear record of the exact origin of the Miao New Year in Miao script, nor is there direct evidence from Chinese classics, making it difficult to trace its historical origins. However, the rich oral traditions of the Miao ethnic group, including legends, songs, etc., provide us with valuable clues to explore the origin of the Miao New Year.
In the southeastern region of Guizhou, there are various theories about the origin of the Miao New Year, among which the most well-known ones include the narration in the “Miao Ancient Songs”, the “Seasonal Songs” that reflect seasonal changes, and various folk legends and stories that have been passed down. During the Miao New Year, every household is busy cleaning their courtyards and preparing delicious dishes, especially glutinous rice products such as glutinous rice wine and glutinous rice cake, symbolizing the sweetness and abundance of life. On the eve of the festival, family members gather around to share the New Year’s Eve dinner, observe the New Year until late at night, and welcome the arrival of the new year with the sound of firecrackers, symbolizing exorcism, warding off evil, and welcoming good luck.
On the morning of the festival, under the guidance of their elders, the younger generation respectfully presents their carefully prepared offerings on the stove by the fire pit for a solemn ancestral worship ceremony. Miao people also offer wine as a reward for the hardworking oxen who have worked hard for a year, reflecting their respect and gratitude for life. The Miao New Year is not only a time for family reunion, but also a good time for young men and women to find partners. The girls were dressed in gorgeous pleated skirts and sparkling silver ornaments, dancing gracefully to the melodious sound of the young man’s lusheng music, performing the unique step dance of the Miao family. As night falls, young men from the outer village hold horse lanterns and play flutes to the “Youfang” venue, conveying emotions through singing. If the two parties are in love, they use embroidered flower belts with mandarin duck patterns as tokens of love, symbolizing the longevity and beauty of love.
It is particularly worth mentioning that when the year of “eating drums and storing” coincides with the year of Miao, the celebration is even more grand. Gu Zang “refers to a grand family gathering held every few years, during which a bullfighting competition is held, led by the respected Gu Zang head, and all family members participate to commemorate their ancestors. The event lasts for several days, with a warm and solemn atmosphere, showcasing the profound cultural heritage and adherence to tradition of the Miao ethnic group.
