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Miao New Year in Leishan, Guizhou: Culture, Traditions & Banquet

Miao New Year is NOT what I expected...

Destination:ChinaProvince:GuizhouCity:Leishan
Miao New Year is NOT what I expected...
Vegan in China9 min

Miao New Year is NOT what I expected.... This was filmed by Vegan in China. Watch the full journey and explore the filming details and destinations on this page.

Join me for the first day of the Miao New Year where I experience the infamous "rice wine waterfall", try on traditional clothing and share in the long table banquet! If you come to Leishan to observe this festival, you should be aware that animal sacrifice is a New Year tradition in the villages. While I try to avoid showing this in my video, live animals are a common gift & ducks/chickens are often carried upside down on poles. There is also a pig slaughter that happens on day 2 of the festivities, which I chose to not attend. I hope my videos can show that cultural exchange is possible even in unlikely situations. While I don't condone the consumption of animals, I also think it's important to look for commonalities as a basis for dialogue. Good comes by leading with love and joy~💚

--- Vegan in China
December 17, 2024, Winter in China

Travel Guides & Tips in this video

Vegan In China spends the first day of the Miao New Year in Leishan, Guizhou. At checkpoints, guests receive rice wine as part of lundo, and visitors carry gifts balanced on a bamboo pole rather than arriving empty-handed. The host wears traditional clothing, receives two bowls of rice wine—one for each foot, symbolizing double the luck—and helps serve guests. Fireworks take place during the day as well as at night, while the luang, a bamboo bagpipe, is heard during the celebration. The video also includes the gaan le rice-wine challenge. At the long-table New Year's banquet, meat is common, but the host is able to have a vegan meal. The visit follows the customs from the checkpoints through the shared feast.

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Miao New Year is NOT what I expected...

Customs and a warm welcome

Vegan In China spends the first day of the Miao New Year in Leishan, Guizhou. The visit begins with lundo, a custom in which guests receive rice wine at checkpoints. The host navigates the checkpoints and takes part in a tradition that is closely tied to the celebration. Arriving empty-handed is not customary, so gifts are carried balanced on a bamboo pole.

After arriving, Vegan In China tries on traditional clothing and is welcomed with two bowls of rice wine, one for each foot, symbolizing double the luck. The host joins in serving guests and shares in the hospitality of the occasion. Fireworks are part of the celebration throughout the day, not only after dark, creating an energetic atmosphere around the festivities.

Music, rice wine and the feast

The luang, a bamboo bagpipe, provides a distinctive sound during the celebration. The video also includes the gaan le rice-wine challenge, a playful but intense drinking custom. The host joins the activities while remaining attentive to the cultural setting and the people sharing their traditions.

The day ends with a long-table banquet, where guests gather to share a New Year's meal. Meat is common at the table, but Vegan In China is able to enjoy a vegan meal. The shared feast makes room for the host's dietary needs while still taking part in the communal occasion. The experience highlights how food and hospitality can bring visitors into a celebration.

The visit is centered on participation: receiving rice wine, wearing traditional clothing, serving guests, hearing the luang and joining the banquet. The customs offer a firsthand look at Miao New Year practices in Leishan, while the host's vegan meal shows that a dietary difference can be accommodated during the gathering.

FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)

Q: What is lundo during the Miao New Year?
A: Lundo is a custom in which visitors receive rice wine at checkpoints while taking part in the celebration.
Q: Why are guests offered two bowls of rice wine?
A: Guests receive two bowls, one for each foot, as a symbolic gesture representing double the luck.
Q: What is the luang?
A: The luang is a bamboo bagpipe played during celebrations such as the Miao New Year.

Previous travel video:

Miao New Year in Leishan, Guizhou: Culture, Traditions & Banquet

Join me for the first day of the Miao New Year where I experience the infamous "rice wine waterfall", try on traditional clothing and share in the long table banquet! If you come to Leishan to observe this festival, you should be aware that animal sacrifice is a New Year tradition in the villages....

Miao New Year in Leishan: Rice Wine, Traditions & a Vegan Feast

Experience the Miao New Year in Leishan, Guizhou with Vegan in China! Witness the unique rice wine waterfall tradition and a long table banquet. Discover the cultural exchange amidst animal sacrifice traditions, showcasing commonalities and promoting understanding. This video offers a glimpse into a vibrant culture, balancing respect for traditions with personal values.

Attractions in this video: Rice Wine Waterfall