Miao women traditional silver jewelry

Miao women traditional silver jewelry, Chinese ethnic group The Miao

Miao women traditional silver jewelry. The Miao is an ethnic group from the southern China, Miao women prefer silver jewelry as a symbol of wealth. Their festive and wedding dresses is a manifestation of silver – silver costume of Miao women can weigh up to 20 kilograms. Traditional Miao jewelry set includes flowers, hat, comb, earrings, necklace and bracelet. Silver jewelry worn by the Miao, is very diverse. Simple decorations (solid hryvnia, necklaces and bracelets) are more massive and festive (flowers, hats, pendants made of silver and horn) feature a fine work.

Miao women traditional silver jewelry. Miao girls, also from Lang De, Guizhou, awaiting their turn to perform

The Miao is an ethnic group of the 55 official minority groups in southern China, northern Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, totaling about 11 million people. Traditionally, in this ethnic group was the belief in good and evil spirits. In addition, was a belief that every object had its own spirit (kueng), and the supreme spirit revered spirit of thunder. Besides, there was the cult of ancestors, and gradually began to spread Taoism and Buddhism, since the Catholic mission work in second half of the XIX century. Also, Miao have their own calendar. The New Year, which falls on the period September-December of the lunar calendar, is celebrated for twelve days. The tradition includes sacrifices in the field, at home, arranging bullfights, horse racing, dancing to the drum. Especially rich is folk art.