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 different from that in any other areas of China. 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 is often used as a gift to send to their lovers. During the lunar December, Miao women are ready to cook various glutinous rice paste, including: round, triangular, and quadrate. Some dyed rice paste has bright 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 has a good feeling of a man, she will pitch the glutinous rice paste into the man’s belt bag. The man would keep the paste if he also likes the girl. After January, the man will bring some paste and sugar to the girl’s family as a gift.

Glutinous rice

Glutinous rice is the staple food for the Miao people. Using some particular plant leaves, women would dye the rice into different colors during the exciting Sister Festival. The dyed rice has five colors, and tastes a bit 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 rice and duck together to prepare a delicious porridge. During the New Food Festival held in lunar June, people only cook newly picked rice, vegetables, and fresh fish.

Visit a Miao village during their exciting festivals to enjoy their unique food and watch their beautiful silver necklaces, you are surely to have lots of fun. Some festivals are always related with beautiful dances and big feasts, and some Miao silver necklaces can weigh more than 10 pounds! Go to my silver necklaces website below to learn more about Miao silver jewelry!