Miao

Miao, or 苗族 in Chinese, is a collective designation for several non-Han ethnic groups primarily in China’s southwest. In the People’s Republic of China, the Miao are one of the 56 officially recognized ethnic groups and are concentrated in Yunnan, Guizhou, Guangxi, Sichuan, and Hunan. The name Miao is an exonym; many Miao communities also identify by subgroups such as Hmong (White Miao and Green/Blue Miao) and other Miao-related groups. Outside China, Miao populations are found across Southeast Asia and in diasporas in North America, Europe, and Australia.

Languages spoken by Miao peoples belong to the Hmong–Mien language family. The best known subgroups are the White Hmong and Green/Blue Hmong, but regional groups such as Hmu and Xong are also part of the Miao umbrella. There is no single Miao language; each subgroup has its own language or dialect. Writing systems vary; some communities use Latin-based scripts such as the Romanized Popular Alphabet, while others use the indigenous Pahawh Hmong script.

Cultural expression centers on textile arts, embroidery, batik, and extensive silver jewelry worn by women. Traditional music and dance feature the lusheng, a free-reed pipe, as a prominent instrument in festivals and ceremonies. Festivals such as the Miao New Year and seasonal harvest rites are important in many communities; clothing and hairstyle remain distinctive in different subgroups.

Historically agrarian and village-based, the Miao experienced migrations and interethnic contact across the region. In the present day, they maintain diverse livelihoods, including farming, crafts, tourism, and commerce, and participate in government programs in China related to autonomous prefectures and counties. Religion ranges from ancestor worship and animism to Buddhism, Christianity, and syncretic practices.