Residing in the mountainous areas of southwest China, the Miao ethnic group are well known for their handmade silver jewels like silver necklaces. During big holidays and ceremonies, Miao women like to wear glistening silver jewels to display their beauty. Holidays are also a great time for Miao people to have a big meal together with their friends and family. Food displayed on their table is various and delicious. Here are recipes for just a few:
Glutinous rice paste
Glutinous rice paste is served in Miao areas all year round. To the single people, glutinous rice paste has a special meaning, as it’s a medium to express their feelings to their lovers. During the lunar December, Miao women are ready to cook various glutinous rice paste, including: round, triangular, and quadrate. Some rice paste is dyed with beautiful colors. In the Lusheng Musical Festival held in the next lunar January, single young people will be busy with singing, dancing, and looking for their life partners. Girls with beautiful silver necklaces look especially attractive. If a girl likes a man, she will throw the glutinous rice paste into the man’s waist pack. If the man also likes the girl, he would keep the paste. After January, the man will visit the girl’s family and give them sugar and paste as a gift.
Glutinous rice
Glutinous rice is the staple food for the Miao people. During the interesting Sister Festival, women dye the rice with some special plant leaves. The dyed rice has 5 different colors, and taste delicious and sweet. It’s a good gift to give the man who grabs her heart.
Special holidays for food
The Miao have lots of holidays that are related to food. During duck festival, people cook a special porridge using duck and rice. During the New Food Festival held in lunar June, people only cook newly picked rice, vegetables, and fresh fish.
If you like, you can visit a Miao village during their festivals to enjoy their delicious ethnic food and watch their elaborately designed silver necklaces. Some festivals involve great dances and huge feasts, and some Miao silver necklaces can weigh over 10 pounds! Want to know more about Miao silver jewelry, please go to visit my silver necklaces website below!