Matang Gejia Village

Matang Gejia Village

Matang is a fairly typical Gejia village (also known as Qijia village), where villagers usually farm and spend their leisure time doing batik dyeing and embroidering clothes.

The Gejia are a unique ethnic minority, scattered across Yudong and Longchang townships in the northwest of Kaili, with a population of just over 10,000.

The Gejia have their own distinct lifestyle, customs, language, and especially unique clothing,

The traditional attire of Gejia girls resembles that of ancient warriors, while their everyday wear is relatively simple. Some have thought that the Matang

people are a branch of the Miao, but they are indeed a separate ethnic group, which can be seen from their customs, clothing, and embroidery craftsmanship. Unlike the Miao, their way of hospitality emphasizes offering food over offering alcohol, so when you visit the Gejia, you’ll definitely be offered a full meal before any drinks.

The Gejia have long worshipped 0, with the custom of offering 0 at every meal. Moreover,

the Gejia families jointly worship a “ancestral drum,” which is used only once every few decades during the ancestral worship ceremony known as the “Harong Festival.” If you happen to visit during this time, you’re truly lucky.

△Accommodation: Huangping County Guesthouse or other hotels, priced at 50–120 RMB per room.

Transportation

Take a minibus from Kaili Bus Station heading toward Yudong or Longchang, get off at the Matang intersection, and walk 15 minutes to reach Matang (Qijia) Village. The fare is 3 RMB.