The beautiful "high mountains and flowing water" of Xijiang River

If asked what kind of toasting etiquette is the most solemn in the world, I think I would say without hesitation that it is the "high mountains and flowing water" of Qianhu Miao Village in Xijiang.

In ancient times, high mountains and flowing water were a metaphor for the sincere friendship between friends, meeting a close friend, and mutual sympathy. In Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village, "high mountains and flowing water" is more like a description of the drinking scene. The description behind it implies the warm hospitality of the Miao people.

So, what are the "high mountains and flowing water" of Xijiang River? What's the difference?

The custom and culture of entertaining guests with wine

When approaching Xijiang, you will find that wine is an indispensable thing in the lives of the Miao people, and even "there is no feast without wine" " said, and also derived a wine culture with Miao customs. From three meals a day to banquets and various Miao festivals, wine is indispensable.

Thousands of years of inheritance have allowed the Miao people to develop the custom of entertaining guests with wine.

In the past, the Miao people generally used horn cups for drinking, which are specially made from buffalo horns. Since the buffalo is a sacred symbol in the hearts of the Miao people, the horn cup is mainly used to toast important guests on important occasions to show respect for the guests.

So to this day, in Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village Scenic Area, you can still see the scene of Miao people toasting with horn cups, such as blocking the door wine, the pure and fine wine in the horn cups, which represents This is how much they value and welcome visitors from afar.

But among the Miao people’s toasting etiquette, the most enthusiastic atmosphere is undoubtedly the “mountain and flowing water”. And what is obviously different from the Banmen wine is that the wine container of "High Mountain Flowing Water" is called "Jiu Hai".

The mountains are high and the rivers are long, and the friendship is deep

"When you come to Miao Township, you should taste the wine first. If you like it, you should drink it. If you don't like it, you should drink it. It doesn't matter whether you like it or not. Drink, you like to drink one cup, don’t like to drink three cups...".

, and then pour the wine accordingly, like a waterfall, very spectacular.

When the guests accept this way of toasting, they will see the "sea of ??wine" that is higher than the other begin to pour out the wine, one after another, into their mouths. If the Miao girls who are toasting feel that the "mountain" is not high, the "water" is not long, and the "love" is not deep, they will step on the bench to increase the height of the mountain and the length of the water to ensure that "the mountain is high and the water is long" effect.

At that time, the atmosphere of the whole venue will inevitably reach its highest point. The reeds will be played more vigorously, the songs will be sung louder and louder, and the Miao people will become more enthusiastic.

Deep friendship and lasting friendship, this is the toasting etiquette of the Miao family - "Mountains and Flowing Waters". It allows tourists to experience the customs and culture while also loving the mountain charm of Xijiang.

Diverse Xijiang Culture

Good wine is always available, but good friends are hard to find.

Since ancient times, the Miao people have always treated people outside their own ethnic group with respect and welcome. Therefore, when they meet tourists who are interested in their culture and go to the Miao village for sightseeing, they will like Just like when you meet a close friend, you express their respect with "high mountains and flowing water".

Of course, in addition to "high mountains and flowing water", the Miao compatriots also have many long-standing customs and cultures, and they have developed to this day and are blooming with unique charm.

Friends who are interested may wish to go to Xijiang to experience it on the spot and discover the beauty of Xijiang in the "high mountains and flowing water".