The Miao people are great observers of etiquette. They are also very hospitable and pay respect to their guests. When people visit their homes, families will often kill a chicken to provide poultry for their guests to eat. They also try their best to entertain guests.
Those who have come from far-off places are given a special drink called horn spirit. This is an alcoholic drink served to pay respect to guests.
The poultry ceremony is also a common custom in Miao households. A chicken head is given to the senior member attending the celebration. The leg is given to the youngest person attending. Another common custom is the sharing of a poultry heart. Either a duck or chicken is killed, and its heart is presented to the guest. The senior member of the household presents the heart using a chopstick. The person carefully picks up the heart and presents it to their guest. In return, the guest must share the heart with the person who presented it to them.
People who cannot tolerate alcoholic drinks and fatty meat can excuse themselves from this undertaking. The host will not look down on their request. This is much better than eating too much. Over-eating is regarded as a great insult to a Miao host.
The marriage customs of every ethnic group are unique. Those who are interested in learning more about Miao marriage ceremonies can visit the Guizhou Museum of Marriage Customs of Ethnic Minorities.
Another custom observed by the Miao people is the use of glutinous rice cake. This is prepared, cooked and eaten whenever a man and woman fall in love. They are also used during Valentine’s Day as an expression of admiration,and Miao boys and girls exchange rice cakes at any time to show their affection. After they exchange rice cakes, a mandarin duck is drawn as a token of their love.
Weddings involve eating glutinous rice cake with dragon and phoenix drawings. Couples are also required to drink horn cup (jiao bei) spirits using special cups for the occasion. This is done by crossing their wrists (linking drinking arms) and drinking from their own cups
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