Yet, amidst the solemnity, there was also a strong sense of joy.
When Ah Chen and Ah Mo arrived at the front of the ancestral hall, led by the two elders and the old woman, Ah Chen stopped!
Chief Yang Aqi arrived solemnly, carrying a tray in both hands.
There is a sickle on the tray, and this sickle is of great significance.
The two elders took out their sickles.
Ah Chen bent down.
after--
The two elders personally shaved Achen's head in Balong.
Shaving heads with sickles, welcoming guests with muskets!
But Ah Chen was not a guest; he was the host, only his identity was extremely special.
Today he comes as the future Miao king, and is therefore subject to the proper customs and etiquette.
Because the men of Balong place great importance on their hairpins, which are called "hugun" in the Miao language!
The "hugun" (户棍) is the most important gender symbol in the attire of the Miao men.
During the coming-of-age ceremony, elders shave the child's head with a sickle.
Most of the hair around the head is shaved off, leaving only the hair in the middle to be tied up in a bun, and this hairstyle is maintained for life.
It is said that this was passed down from our ancestors.
But Ah Chen is the future Miao King, so he cannot simply shave the hairstyle of one branch.
So the second clan elder only symbolically shaved a tiny bit off his head.
Then, the aunties waiting nearby would take a lock of hair from the future Miao king with both hands and sew it up with a black cloth.
The Miao women's costumes are extremely exquisite, with antique embroidered patterns on their dresses, paired with silver necklaces and bracelets, making them very eye-catching.
Once the hair-silk cloth bundle was sewn, the two elders personally delivered it to the ancestral hall and hung it in the center.
after--
It's not such a complicated customary ceremony!
Ah Chen and his group moved to the shrine of the previous Holy Maiden, where things became more complicated.
Amo devoutly offered sacrifices in accordance with the strict Miao rituals.
This time, it was led by Amo, with Achen as her assistant.
In front of the shrine of the Holy Maiden, the people of Qingmiao knelt and worshipped.
I wonder if Ah Mo noticed it when she offered incense—
The statue of the Holy Maiden was displayed while the Miao people were bowing in worship.
He blinked.
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