Delicious Chinese Miao Food And Their Handmade Silver Necklaces

Residing in the mountainous areas of southwest China, the Miao ethnic group are well known for their handmade silver jewels like silver necklaces. During holidays and important ceremonies, people dress up with the glittery silver jewels to proudly show their beauty and elegance. 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 paste has a special meaning, as it’s a medium to express their feelings to their lovers. During the lunar December, Miao girls are busy with preparing all shapes of glutinous rice paste: round, quadrate, and triangular. Some dyed rice paste has bright colors. In the Lusheng Musical Festival held in the next lunar January, single young people busy themselves singing, dancing, and looking for 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. 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 famous Sister Festival, women use special plant leaves to dye the rice. The dyed rice has five colors, and tastes a bit sweet. It’s a perfect gift to give the man who steals 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. In some festivals, exciting music activities and big feasts are always held, and lots of Miao silver necklaces weigh over 10 pounds! Check out more about Miao silver jewelry at my silver necklaces from China website below!