choice of marriage partner, exchanging pledges of love, and cavorting crowd together in the fields.... This poem is preserved in the The Book of Songs. It is said that this poem is a reflection of the love stories of the people who lived in China’s Central Plains 3,000 years ago, and is a glimpse of life in clan society.
    In Taijiang County today, at the annual Sisters’ Festival, the courting customs of the ancient Chinese are re-enacted. Some consider that this ancient tradition was carried down the ages unchanged by Miao people during their migrations southward.
    In the 21st century The Book of Songs comes to life again at the Miao SistersÕ Festival in Taijiang County. Hundreds of young girls in splendid attire sing and dance, and at the same time look for their lovers among the audience. During the daytime all the boys and girls share the same kind of food, at night the lovers sing in antiphonal style until next morning.