Miao people
The Ge people are considered to have originated from the Miao people. Their origin is explained in two different stories. According to one legend, once, an elite class of Han soldier met a Miao girl. He was in love with her and decided to marry her. At the time such inter-marriage between Han and Miao people was considered a sacrilege. The penalty was forfeit of official status and position. Overcome by love, they were married and were banished in isolation. In time, their descendants grew into a separate ethnic group. In another account, the Ge are a group of Miao in the western region who were left behind while the main Miao people migrated towards the east. On historical account, they originally inhabited the western part of Guizhou, and migrated to eastward to their present location. Migration was due to a policy of Chinese government to sympathise Miao people on behalf of the serving Miao soldiers.