With a history of over three thousand years and a population of around six million people, the Miao constitute one of the oldest and largest ethnic groups in China. Distributed in small groups over the remote mountainous regions of South China, the Miao along with several other ethnic minorities including the Dong, Yao, Yi, Bai, and Bouyi have established a distinctive cultural heritage, rich and colorful in both material and spiritual aspects.

The textiles and silver jewelry of several of these groups are becoming increasingly well known. Their woven, embroidered, and batik costumes and accessories display a variety of color, diversity of design, and exceptionally high technical refinement. Minority costumes vary according to the wearer's ethnic identity, gender, and age. Clothing will also vary between everyday wear and special occasion or festive dress. Most importantly, perhaps, clothing styles will also vary as to the villages where they were produced. Chinese researchers have proposed five basic regional styles and over 180 sub styles unique to clans or separate villages. Accordingly, costume more than anything else provides the clearest image of Miao, Dong, Yao, and Yi identity. Ones clan or village and status is distinctly marked by the hairstyle, headwear, decorative clothing and silver ornaments worn by an individual.

Over the last twenty years, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts has assembled a large and important collection of Miao and other ethnic minority costumes and silver jewelry. The Miao of South China are the distant ancestors of the large Hmong population that has migrated from Laos to Minnesota in recent decades. As these ethnic communities continue to modernize and westernize, they are giving up much of their traditional cultures, including the festive costumes that define their visual identity.