Miao women celebrate China's oldest Valentine's Day with sticky rice courtship
[]
It is regarded as China’s oldest "Valentine’s Day." Every year, young women from the Miao minority in southwest Guizhou Province celebrate the Sisters’ Meal Festival in the hope of finding love. /CFP Photo

It is regarded as China’s oldest "Valentine’s Day." Every year, young women from the Miao minority in southwest Guizhou Province celebrate the Sisters’ Meal Festival in the hope of finding love. /CFP Photo

Young Miao women dress up in embroidered traditional costumes as well as kilograms of silver headwear. /CFP Photo

Young Miao women dress up in embroidered traditional costumes as well as kilograms of silver headwear. /CFP Photo

They also cook a “sisters’ meal” of colorful sticky rice dyed with wild flowers and leaves, catering to their family, neighbors, and most importantly, the men they fancy. /CFP Photo

They also cook a “sisters’ meal” of colorful sticky rice dyed with wild flowers and leaves, catering to their family, neighbors, and most importantly, the men they fancy. /CFP Photo

Young Miao men meanwhile engage in song battles to receive a “sister’s meal” and win a Miao lady’s heart. /CFP Photo

Young Miao men meanwhile engage in song battles to receive a “sister’s meal” and win a Miao lady’s heart. /CFP Photo

More than a festival for lovers, the whole village participates, dancing to Lusheng music and enjoying buffalo fighting. The festival usually falls from the 15th to 17th day of the third lunar month -- April 11-13 this year. /CFP Photo

More than a festival for lovers, the whole village participates, dancing to Lusheng music and enjoying buffalo fighting. The festival usually falls from the 15th to 17th day of the third lunar month -- April 11-13 this year. /CFP Photo