Ethnic Minority Groups of Yunnan

Yunnan has the largest number of ethnic minorities in China. There are 25 officially recognized ethnic minorities in the province, accounting for less than a half of the total in China. The ethnic minorities scatter around Yunnan and mix with the majority of the Han Chinese, meanwhile, they have their own communities. Some ethnic groups live in valleys, some live on hilly areas, some inhabit flat lands. The local residences of the ethnic minorities all have their own styles. Traditional costumes of these minority groups are colorful and distinctive and the languages and cultures are all different from each other. The following is a brief introduction of some selected ethnic minorities in Yunnan.

Yi
The Yi group is the fourth largest of China's minorities with a total population more than 6 million in China, most of whom are in southwest China and it is the biggest minority group in Yunnan with a population of over 4 million. Buckwheat, corn, and potatoes are stable on Yi diet and they like drinking and smoking. Their most famous festival is the "Torch Festival".

Bai
The Bai people have a population of more than 1.5 million, 85% of whom live in Dali, northwest Yunnan. They are the second biggest minority group in Yunnan. They have, unfortunately only spoken language. Rice is the stable food on their diet. They boast of a variety of food, handicrafts and festivals, the biggest festival of whom, is the "March Fair".

Hani
The third largest group is Hani with a population of 1.3 million live in south and southeast of Yunnan. They are terraced paddy fields expert. Glutinous rice is often on their diet. Their most important festival is "Kuzhazha" celebrating starting on June 24th and last for 3 or 6 days. It is a time to honor the God of Rice. Young people play on the swing, sing and dance.

Zhuang
The Zhuang minority group is the largest one in China with a total population of more than 15 million in the country. The 1 million Zhuang in Yunnan live mainly in the east and southeast part of the province. They like glutinous rice in particular, glutinous wine and glutinous cake are often on their diet. The "Longduan Festival" is the most famous one of theirs.

Dai
The Dai people have a population of more than 1 million who live in tropical area of southern Yunnan. The Dai and Thai in Thailand share many similarities. Rice is also the main food on Dai people's diet. The Dai cuisine is just as exotic as the place. The "Water-splashing Festival" is the biggest event for them.

Naxi
With a population of less than three hundred thousand, most of the Naxi people live around Lijiang. Wheat, rice, and corn are stable food on their diet. The biggest festival is "Sanduo Festival" observed on February 8th on the Chinese calendar (March) to honor "Sanduo", a legendary hero in Naxi mythology.

Wa
The Wa people have a population of more than three hundred thousand who live in the outlying southwestern tip of Yunnan. They are primitive religion believers with their most important festival of "Lamu Drum Festival". It is celebrated before the coming harvest season to honor the God of Drum.

Tibetan
The Tibetan group, with a total population of 4.5 million, mostly lives in Tibet autonomous region of China. While in Yunnan, the one hundred thousand of Tibetans mainly live around Shangri-La which is close to Tibet. Barley wine and butter tea are typical Tibetan drinks. "Tibetan New Year" is the biggest festival for them.