April 8 of Miao Nationality

Name of China's national intangible cultural heritage: April 8 of Miao Nationality

Applicant: Jishou City, Hunan Province

Project No.: 984

Project No.: Ⅹ - 77

Time of publication: 2011 (the third batch)

Category: folk customs

Region: Hunan Province

Type: Extension Project

Applicant: Jishou City, Hunan Province

Protection unit: Jishou Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center

Introduction to April 8 of Miao Nationality

Applicant: Jishou City, Hunan Province

April 8 is a major festival for Miao people to gather and celebrate, which is very popular in Miao areas of China. According to the requirements of the Miao people, the State Commission for Ethnic Affairs issued an instruction on May 3, 1981: "it is agreed that April 8 of the lunar calendar is the traditional festival of the Miao people." From then on, the Miao people in Beijing and the Miao people in Hunan, Hubei, Chongqing, Yunnan, Guizhou and other provinces and cities shared the joy of the "April 8" festival.

April 8 festival of the Miao nationality originates from the sacrificial activities of the Miao nationality, such as offering sacrifices to heaven and earth, ancestors, heroes and gods. With the change of the times and the change of the Miao people's taste, the festival activities have gradually added song and dance performances and human exchanges, making the content more colorful.

On April 8, thousands of Miao men and women put on their festive costumes and pour into the singing hall from all directions to sing Miao songs. Miao youth is also called "dance flower and dance moon". Miao song singing almost runs through the whole process of festival activities. Miao's songs are divided into two major tunes, high tune and flat tune. The content involves all aspects of Miao's social production and life, historical events, historical figures, customs and customs. It fully shows the Miao's cultural characteristics of expressing feelings, narrating and enjoying themselves with songs.

April 8 of the Miao nationality embodies the religious and cultural characteristics of the Miao nationality, which is of great value to the study of the history and folk customs of the Miao nationality.

April 8 is a multi-ethnic gathering of Miao, Dong and Yao in Hunan, Hubei, Chongqing, Yunnan and Guizhou provinces, which will play a positive role in enhancing national unity, inspiring national spirit and building a socialist harmonious society.