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New Year Celebration of the Miao Ethnic Group, 2009
Updated: Nov 02, 2009; by China Highlights; Comments: 0; Clicks: 70;
Miaonian, or the New Year Festival of the Miao ethnic group, is the grandest and the most important traditional festival among the Miao people. It falls in the tenth month of the Miao calendar (around November of the Gregorian calendar), and usually lasts for five days. The exact dates vary in each year, and are only disclosed about one month in advance. In 2009, the New Year Festival will be celebrated from November 18 till 21, in Xijiang Miao Village, Leishan County, Kaili City, southeast Guizhou Province. Contact China Highlights for Tailor-Made Festival Tours
During the festival, tourists can enjoy watching enchanting Miao customs come alive through various kinds of ethnic activities. These include the festival parade featuring Miao women in traditional Miao dress, the traditional music of the Lusheng (a kind of musical instrument made of bamboo), bullfights, horseracing, and of course, lots of singing and dancing.
Another festival, Guzang Festival, will take place in the nearby Langde Miao Village, from November 29, and will last for 13 days. “Guzang” literally means “to bury the drum”. The Miao people believe that drums made of maple trees are the burial place of their ancestors. Therefore, this grand festival, which happens only once upon 13 years, is about burying the drum, and paying homage and sacrifice to their ancestors.Check out Festival Tours Designed by China Highlights
The rituals are rather complicated and include a series of ceremonies, such as the Zhaolong (inviting the dragon), the Xinggu (wakening the drum), and the Yinggu (welcoming the drum). After the rituals, colorful celebrations begin, and the village becomes a joyous world of singing and dancing.
Travel Tips
- Bring some candies or pencils to give away to children. It is a taboo to touch children’s head.
- The Miao people are very famous for their silverworks and embroidery skills. Tourists can buy some silver accessories and brocades at the villages. They are all hand-made, original and delicate.
- Lots of walking is required here, please make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes
Transportation
Kaili City is 2.5 hours bus ride from Guiyang City, the capital city of Guizhou Province.
- Getting to Xijiang Miao Village: There are tourist buses from Kaili to Xijiang, which will take about one hour.
- Getting to Langde Miao Village: There are buses from Kaili to Langde, which will take about 1.5 hours. There are also direct buses available between Xijiang and Langde, which will take about two hours.
More on Guizhou Festivals
- Tours to Guizhou
- Contact Us for Tailor-Made Tours to Guizhou
- Check out Festival Tours Designed by China Highlights
- Read More about Ethnic Minority Festivals in China
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