Who are the Miao?
As an ethnic group in mountainous south and southwestern China, the Miao have a long history and fascinating culture. Their embroidery, silver jewels, and batik art is second to none in the world. The Miao have some rare and interesting games which are different from those in any parts of the world.
Climbing a knife ladder
A Miao knife ladder is 12 meters high, with 72 knives as rungs. Cut their hair or a piece of cloth with the knives, the climbers will first show to people they are extremely sharp.
The barefooted performers then proceed to climb the large ladder without so much as a drop of blood spilling to the ground. When they climb, they will perform some acrobatic feats like flips.
Walking on the flaming iron board
To start this game, an iron board has coals burned on it for over 1 hour and can reach temperatures over 800 degrees Celsius.
The barefooted Miao performer then steps onto the iron boards. You can see smoke flying off of his/her feet, but miraculously their feet aren’t hurt at all.
Throw the iron boards into the water, which at once bubbles and a mist of white vapor ascends.
Horse fighting
Horse fights and horse races are all held on June 6 of the lunar calendar, to express the Miao wishes for a good harvest.
Lots of people, young and old, come to enjoy the thrilling horse fighting games. Girls will dress up with beautiful silver ornaments like amazing silver necklaces, to show the local boys their great collections.
Two horses are taken into a big circus, and then the games starts. Once the two horses see each other, they immediately start fighting and biting. They fight each other by biting and kicking ferociously. After several fighting bouts, one horse is beaten and escapes, with the other pursuing after it.
People around the playground shout and cheer for the horses. At last, the champion will win a red cloth belt to adorn his body.
Horse races
Horse races are held on steep mountain roads. When the game begins, the rider keeps himself 5 or 6 meters away behind the horse.
The rider then goes to mount the horse, which right away runs at a full gallop. The horse isn’t saddled, and the rider sometimes has to struggle to keep his legs close to the body of the horse and keep from falling off.
It’s absolutely an astonishing competition. The champion will not only be awarded a prize, but probably win the heart of the single women.
The Miao have even more exciting games and sports, visit my website to learn more about Miao culture and silver jewelry here.
C. Liu has been studying and researching Miao culture for a long time. Sometimes she promotes certain Miao silversmiths. Check out her website above to see pictures of the Miao people and their fine silver work.
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