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A Brief Introduction to Minority Nationalities in
Yunnan
Yunnan is a province of multi-minorities inhabited .
Among the 56 nations in China, there are 25 kinds of minorities in
Yunnan, they are Yi, Bai, Hani, Dai, Zhuang, Miao, Lisu, Hui, Lahu,Wa,
Naxi, Yao, Jingpo, Tibetan, Blang, Bouyei, Pumi, Achang, Nu, Jino,
De’ang, Mongol, Shui, Manchu and Drung nations. Their total population
has reached up 12.85 million and taken the 30% of total population in
Yunnan. But the inhabited areas had occupied around 70% of total areas
of Yunnan. Through long historical development, they have formed the
different folk customs which is a kind of social phenomenon. We can
see their developing history from the behavior of production, living,
households, rites, foods and religions. These have very worthy
sections of human developing in the history. The
peoples Except 25 minorities mentioned in Yunnan, I
have to introduce the following three kinds of the Peoples to you, for
the reason of they are not the really a kind of minority in China .
but they are the certain branches of the minorities. The three Peoples
have the special customs which are quite different with their original
nations and very interesting in the recent days for their names in
tourism of Yunnan. 1. Aini People
They are the branches of Hani nation, inhabiting in the Ainishang of
Xishuanbanna. They all like the black dresses, the men have the
trousers, the women have the skirts. They take the rice as their main
three meals a day, prefer to the tea and smoke the tobacco. They are
good at the medicine treatment techniques and the methods of massages.
2. Shani People Inhabiting in the well-known
sightseeing region of Stone Forest in Kunming, they are the branches
of YI nation. The young girls have the mark of a triangle form on
their heads and a small bundle of hairs showing unmarried. The young
men and women are good at dancing with a music instrument called
"Dashangxian" (a big three-stringed music instrument). Especially on
the feast of "Feast of Torch", they will hold the bullfight, sport of
stumble and dancing. 3. Mosuo People
They are the only people who are keeping the traditional customs of
Matriarchy system . They live around the Luguhu Lake located
north-west of Yunnan with a population of 30 thousand. The most of
adults live at the mother’s home . The old sayings is "the men and
women never marry anybody". The men and women only keep the
relationship of spending night occasionally. Called "Azhu" meaning the
close partners. Their houses are consisted of a square yard with two
floors, there is the family center where is fixed a fireplace , the
side rooms at east direction of the house as the guest rooms for
receiving the male "Azhu" at the night. The women have the black or
blue upper garments, the blue and white skirts at lower parts .All men
have the style of Tibetan dresses. They believe in the Dongba religion
and have the customs of travelling around the Luguhu Lake in every
August. Yunnan is populated by 25 minority
nationalities, which comprise almost half of the 55 total
nationalities in the whole country. It would be a great pity to visit
Yunnan without entering the minority areas and fail to participate in
their festivals. With colorful costumes and fascinating
dances and songs, the 25 ethnic minority groups which inhabit in
Yunnan each carry on their distinct life-styles, costumes, and
ceremonies. The traditional ceremonies and festivals are unique and
important parts of their cultures. By observing and
participating in the festivals and traditional ceremonies of the
minority nationalities one can gain insights into their religious
customs, fairy tales and legends, dances and songs, recreation and
amusement, and cultural psychology. Their festivals and ceremonies
also reflect the differing life styles, habits, ideological constructs
and social structures which have developed throughout long spans of
history, as well as against different cultural and geographical
backdrops. Come to experience the mysteries of Yunnan by
witnessing their nationality festivals and ceremonies. The trip will
leave you with a memory that will last a lifetime! |
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