Why do Miao people worship cows?

Miao people-the culture and legend of cow worship-the source of Miao people's cow worship. In all aspects of Miao people's life, cow patterns and horns used for ancestor worship can be seen everywhere in Miao people's homes and costumes. In life, if an old man dies at home, kill a cow for sacrifice; Every 13 years, the whole clan will hold cattle killing activities to sacrifice their ancestors, which is what we call the "eat drums and hide" festival.

There are also many ancient legends about the worship of cattle by Miao people. A long time ago, a couple and a clever boy lived in a small house. On the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, the little boy went to the mountain to herd cattle. He came to a mountain pass and met a tiger. The tiger ate the little boy in one bite. When the buffalo saw that the young master had been eaten by the tiger, it was furious and chased the tiger desperately. Buffalo kept chasing tigers. It is best for the tiger to be chased by buffalo under a ridge and killed by buffalo with its two horns. After the tiger died, the buffalo cut open the tiger's belly with a horn and saved the dying young master. The buffalo was seriously injured because of fighting with the tiger, and the buffalo also fell and died. So, in order to repay the buffalo for saving their son, the couple decided to hold a grand festival rally on April 8 of the lunar calendar every year to commemorate the buffalo who had treated them well. This festival has continued to this day.

Miao people regard cattle as the closest and most loyal partner of human beings. In Qiandongnan, Miao people like to cut wood into horns and press two doors at the waist level, which is another change of horn totem. Because the Miao people regard the cow as their most loyal partner, the cow naturally becomes the mascot in the Miao people's hearts. It can bring peace and happiness to Miao's life, so some families who like to feed cows often regard their own buffalo as their own "domestic cows", hoping that cows can bring peace and happiness to their families. Therefore, the Miao family's use of cattle as ornaments is also a memorial to their ancestors.

As a symbol of worship and decoration, Miao people wear silver-shaped horns on their heads. With the passage of time, they gradually pay more attention to the decoration of the horn, making it more beautiful. Miao people wear wide and heavy silver ornaments on their heads, and they wear pictures of cows, which are beautiful and brilliant. Miao girls like embroidery, embroidered flower patterns are mostly about cows, and the patterns worn on them also have various patterns about cows; The silver ornaments worn by children are carved into the pattern of cattle, and the horns of cattle are used as modeling to create the "horns" of silver ornaments. Children's hats are usually nailed with patterns of silver ornaments. That is, pray for peace and happiness in life.

Horn is divided into big horn and small horn, and those in Leishan in southeastern Guizhou all wear horns; The Miao people in Kaili all wear small horns. But no matter what kind of horn pattern, it is intended to express the Miao people's worship and respect for cattle.