Ethnic minority Miao dance class learning

The Miao, or Hmong, is China’s fifth largest ethnic group, and one of the most ancient. Before the Qin Dynasty, the Miao lived near the middle reaches of the Yangtze River.
Embroidered costumes and elaborate silver jewelry feature prominently in Hmong ethnic dances. In Miao culture, silver ornaments not only equal high social status, symbolizing prosperity and happiness, they are also believed to possess the power of warding off evil.
Miao women drape themselves in ornate silver headdresses, necklaces, and bracelets. They are covered—literally from head to toe—with bells and charms that swing and jingle with the slightest motion. Dancers move to accompanying drumbeats, and the strong sense of rhythm increases the speed and strength of the dancing, creating a jubilant mood.
Free-swinging hands and hips are a common theme, as is lifting the upper legs first in order to move the lower leg. Other common moves incorporate spinning, clapping, crossing the hands and feet, swaying the head and hips, and small jump-kicks.
Typical dance combinations repeat and swap the main movements. Extensive and fast-paced dancing causes the ladies’ pleated skirts to unfurl into different shapes. Each dance combination is filled with the bubbly energy characteristic of Miao dance.

苗族擁有悠久的歷史，先秦時代曾生活於長江中游地區，現主要分布在中國西南和中南省份，是中國第五大少數民族。苗族女子舞蹈能將苗族人勤勞開拓的民族精神風貌、歷史過程以及所演化出的服飾繡花和銀飾工藝等文化象徵與積澱淋漓盡致的體現。苗族女子非常喜愛佩戴銀飾。在跳舞時，女子身上佩帶的銀頭飾、項圈、手鐲會發出悅耳的叮噹聲，形成了苗族舞蹈的一大特色。苗族女子舞蹈多踏著鼓點起舞，鼓點的強烈節奏感，使舞蹈也大多相應表現力度與速度，情緒歡騰，舞步舞姿多反覆巡迴交替。
資料來源：神韻百科