FAMILY STRUCTURE:

A typical "small family" in Miao society is considered to be two generations while three generations will be "standard small family".  However, the "small family" is widely see in Miao society.  When the sons divide and move out, the parents usually stay with the youngest son. 

Like most societies, the guy works outside while the girl mantain the houseworks.  The girl should not take care of the business or affairs outside the house.  Mostly, the husband will be the one that is taking care of these.  However, when it comes to food, cloth, or children's marriages, the wife is the one has the power.  Then for harvest and working in the fields, both of them will work together mutually.  Therefore, in a typical Miao "small family", the status of a wife is basically on the same level as that of the husbands'. 

Most of the family wealth will be inherited by the sons.  If the family don't have any sons, then the wife has the right to inherit the wealth.  After the death of the wife, it is splited toward the husband's brothers.  If the family doesn't have any kids, they can adopt their relatives or outsiders.  Kids being adopted have the right to inherit the wealth.  Morever, sometimes, the wealth can be inherited by son in laws.

SURNAMES:

Similar to the Han Chinese, the Miao people have their own "Miao last names".  For the Miao people, they take the first names of their fathers and become their last names.  The fathers will take the first names of their grandfathers and become their last names.  For example: 

Jiu Wang --->  Wang Bao ---> Bao Rong ---> Rong Ka ---> Ka lu ---> Lu duo ---> Duo Jin....

Therefore, within a Miao family, the last names will be different.  It seems like they are separated by different last names.  In fact, this ties them more. Also, it is a way to tie all the names together in a family.

Da Dao literally means "big sword".  This kind of dance is considered to be a classical Miao dance.  Da Dao Dance represent Miao peoples' couragous personality.  There are three kind of Da Dao (big sword):  long sword, curve tip sword, or curve shaped sword. 

When it's holiday time, young guys will dance Da Dao Dance with young girls dancing Tong Gu Dance inside the circle.  This is a showing a form of protection.

This is the earliest Miao dance being recorded.  Mu Gu, literally translated means "wooden drum".  Both ends of the drum are covered with animal skins.  Whe drumming, usually drum on the body or the surface of the drum.   Usually, Mu Gu is stored in a drum dugeon. It is only used on "gu du day" (every 13 years) or "fan gu day" (every three months).  On those times, Miao people will dance around the Mu Gu.  After celebration, Mu Gu is being send back to the drum dugeon again. 

Most of this dance lyrics is about hunting or fishing. In the old times, it is used to celebrate a won battle. 

In Miao language, Tong Gu is known as "Niel Ghod".  Tong Gu is a really heavy instrument. Unlike Lusheng, Tong Gu is a type of drum, the sound it creates is very loud and echoes.  Due to it's weight, Tong Gu is an instrument that accompany the dances.

This kind of instrument is for two usages: entertainment and workshipping.  When worshipping, the rythmn is very strong and forceful creating a strict and tight atmosphere.  On the other hand, when entertaining, the music become complex; and people dance in big steps.  People are very laidback and relax. In ancient times, workshipping and entertainment purpose are separated.  Only recent times, two purposes are joint together. 

On Miao New Year, Miao girls will dress formally and dance in the cener with middle aged men or women and elderly men and women around the girls. Then, a group of  young guys with swords circling around them, which they are performing Da Dao Dance.

Hu Qin is an instrument that accompany along the dance, mostly for children dances.  This musical instrument sounds a little bit like Er Hu.  The sound that it makes it vey gentle and soft.  It is usually play between parents and kids.  Sometimes combine with some talks or dances.  It is a good way to teach children.  Moreover, Hu Qin dance movenments are simpler but very realistic.  For example: the duckling learning how to walk, or thee eagle catching the little chick.

Hu Qin can also create lullabies.  Therefore, it can not be compare to Lusheng dance where the movements are the lyrics are more mature, and thus not suitable for younger kids.