The Meo

The Meo are a mountain dwelling people in China,Laos, vietnam and Thailand. The Meo are divided into about 70 subgroups. The are differentiated along the lines of dress, customs and language. Then Meo of China call themselves the Hmong. The Meo of Thailand call themselves the Hmoong. Both these groups are divided further on the lines of dress of the womenfolk . i.e. there are White Miao, Blue Miao, flowered Miao etc.

Most Miao live on single-storeyed houses built directly on the ground. Agriculture is the chief means of subsistence for all groups. Maize and rice and the principal crops. Agriculture ismostly carried out on burned land.

One of the most controversial crops that the Meo cultivate is Opium. They consider it and important cash crop. The religion of the Miao is predominantly animistic. Most Miao venerate spirits, demons and ghosts. Exorcism is an important element of their religion and there is widespread practice of animal sacrifice.

Marriage is arranged by the partners themselves. However, the Miao in china have a system of arranged marriaged. In addition, they also have institutionalized courtship rituals.Polygyny is practiced among the well-to-do.

A family consists of the father and a mother with all the brothers and their families. When the parents die, the brothers separate and form their own communities and the cycle is repeated.

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