Guizhou Part 1 - The Miao People

A visit to Miao villages in Guizhou Province, Southwestern China

[pacificeditorial]

Thank you all for your comments.  I am learning a lot from them.  I am aware that Miao is an offensive term to some, but that's the term used in China by the people themselves, so that's what I used. I certainly mean no offense.  When I visited the villages in Guizhou it looked like they were gearing up for Chinese tourism. There were lots of Han Chinese visitors, but no foreigners.  I suspect many of the younger people had left the villages, and that's why it was mostly older people doing the dancing.  In all my travels, I enjoyed my visit to these villages the most. I was with a small group of people from Hawaii and was the only caucasian.  As I walked down the village streets I would hear people call "Lao Wai! Lao Wai!" (foreign white person). They would come to their doors and invite me in for food.  The people didn't have much, but they were always friendly and generous. I hope I can go back someday before tourism ruins the culture.  Jim (aka Lao Yang)

[nicholas-saunders-music]

This makes me so happy and nostalgic!!! I went last year and have missed China terribly!! This was one of the best parts of my trip!!! I want to go back soon!!

[Onionoil]

The beautiful Hmu people and culture. Thank you for showing us their culture.

[tw]

I lived in Kaili Guizhou for a solid duration of over two years and went to all those villages and festivals with many dear local Chinese friends. I understand the confusion of the Hmong from Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam and USA when it comes to the name of this people group but there are many many different Miao/ Hmong groups throughout Asia with similar to very different cultural practices and dialects. There is so much for all of us to learn from each other

[nicholas-saunders-music]

I feel so grateful that I got to dance with them and bask in their culture!!!

[thovathai]

Nej ua tau zoo heev l osi kwv tij HMOOB aw. nrog nej zoo siab heev li o mog. Nej mas thiaj txawj rag txuj tiag os.

[xiongchia]

Thank you, Pacific Ed. 808 ! I love your report ! Paris, Fr( on 20 Nov 2019 !  With my best regads  to you !

[jadenwarchannel]

This is cool to see, my side of family (Xiong) still do the "30" celebration. We would first do a feast, then walk in circles like this also.

[xShurax]

What's that music that plays at 3:18 ?

[jan]

I wish the western media would show more positive side of China . Like this for an example !

[klerley]

i love the way they play the brozen drum because the same as karen people play brozen drum. i love the sound of brozen drum.

[echoman]

What is that bell or drum that the gentleman is playing at around 3:42 ?

[fvang]

Is this a daily weekly yearly performance or is it a festival??

[miimii]

i don't want to sound mean... but why is everybody so sensitive now a days. just watch the video, and enjoy it, not debate about it. this isn't a political issue, it's a celebration. so why is everyone so aggressive in the comment section??? and i don't get what's with all the debates about miao isn't hmong thing, people really need to chill a bit before shouting at others about their opinions about each, and with all the miao videos i've seen so far has been debates about who's right and who's wrong. just sit back and relax. it'll make things so much easier too. (-____-)

[sastrobejo]

It's very nice dancing ! I like it. I hope one day I will go there.

[franklinhu]

Hi, Jim.  This is Franklin Hu, formerly with HECO.  Read about you in Mid-Week.  Great complilation of one of China's minority.  Very educational and entertaining.  Will check out your other videos.  Also posted some under my name, too.

[blueskiez]

For all of you that don't know. Now in china there are only four groups left that are now considered Miao nationality. That is the Amao, Gho Xiong, Hmub and Hmong tribes. China has kicked out all the other ethnic minorities once consider miao. The remaining 4 groups is now official. Simply because all 4 groups are shamans, share and worship the same ancestors. The 4 groups can not understand each other but speak the same tongue that is just spilt into dialects.

[AtarashiNOhi]

"Miao" is the Chinese term for Hmong.

[nkaujhmoobvwj]

Miao is lots of minorities together.... Miao Tzu is Hmong.

[cjowalter]

Incredible video and a lovely village steeped in tradition could there be greater wealth?