Han - is the largest of the 56 ethnic groups in China - the other 55 are considered minorities. Not only do the Han make up more than 91% of the total Chinese population, they are also the largest ethnic group in the world.
The name Han comes from the Han Dynasty (221BCE to 220CE).
Their language is collectively known as Chinese; the spoken form called Hanyu and the written form Hanzi. Considered the "common tongue" amongst China's ethnic minorities, it belongs to the Sino-Tibetan Phylum and divided into seven dialects: Cantonese, Mandarin, Hakka, Gan, Xiang, Wu and Min. Standard Mandarin is mostly spoken in China and Taiwan, while Cantonese is the dialect used in Hong Kong and the southern province of Guangdong. Chinese is one of the official languages of the United Nations.
Their traditional cuisine has been influenced by the cooking styles of other ethnic minorities within China, but their staple diet consists of rice and wheat. Roasted Peking Duck, dumplings, spring rolls, noodles, and wanton are a few popular examples of Han cuisine enjoyed around the world.
Hanfu (translated means "clothing of the Han people") refers to their pre-17th century traditional style of dress. Following the invasion of the Manchu in 1644, Hanfu was eliminated and disappeared. In the recent past, the Han people wore the usually gray coloured, two-piece "Mao suit, named after the former Chinese leader, Mao Tse-tung. It is is still worn by some peasants living in the countryside.
Buddhism is the main religion of the Han, with strong influences from Confucianism and Taoism. However, with the arrival of missionaries to China, some have converted to Christianity.
Han festivals are known for their pomp and pageantry. Most of these festivals are celebrated amongst the other 55 minority ethnic groups within China. The most important celebrations are the Dragon Boat Festival, Spring Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and Lantern Festival.
The following is a list of the 55 minority ethnic groups in China:
Han -
is the largest of the 56 ethnic groups in China - the
other 55 are considered minorities. Not only do the Han make up more
than 91% of the total Chinese population, they are also the largest
ethnic group in the world.
The name Han comes from the Han Dynasty (221BCE to 220CE).
Their language is collectively known as Chinese; the spoken form called
Hanyu and the written form Hanzi. Considered the "common tongue"
amongst China's ethnic minorities, it belongs to the Sino-Tibetan Phylum
and divided into seven dialects: Cantonese, Mandarin, Hakka, Gan,
Xiang, Wu and Min. Standard Mandarin is mostly spoken in China and
Taiwan, while Cantonese is the dialect used in Hong Kong and the
southern province of Guangdong. Chinese is one of the official languages
of the United Nations.
Their
traditional cuisine has been influenced by the cooking styles of other
ethnic minorities within China, but their staple diet consists of rice
and wheat. Roasted Peking Duck, dumplings, spring rolls, noodles, and
wanton are a few popular examples of Han cuisine enjoyed around the
world.
Hanfu
(translated means "clothing of the Han people") refers to their
pre-17th century traditional style of dress. Following the invasion of
the Manchu in 1644, Hanfu was eliminated and disappeared. In the recent
past, the Han people wore the usually gray coloured, two-piece "Mao
suit, named after the former Chinese leader, Mao Tse-tung. It is is
still worn by some peasants living in the countryside.
Buddhism
is the main religion of the Han, with strong influences from
Confucianism and Taoism. However, with the arrival of missionaries to
China, some have converted to Christianity.
Han festivals are known for their pomp and pageantry. Most of these festivals are celebrated
amongst the other 55 minority ethnic groups within China. The most
important celebrations are the Dragon Boat Festival, Spring Festival,
Mid-Autumn Festival, and Lantern Festival.
The following is a list of the 55 minority ethnic groups in China:
Achang - The majority of the Achang ethnic minority live in the Dehong Dai-Jingo
Autonomous Prefecture within the Yunnan Province. They are considered
one of the earliest groups of people in China to adopt the
Tibetan-Myanmese language. Most Achangs also speak Mandarin and the
dialect of the Dai ethnic minority. They are well-known for their
excellently forged iron cutting tools and extraordinary engraving work.
Unmarried young men have short hair and wear a black or white coif cap.
Married men wear navy blue clothes. Single women braid their long hair
while married women sport a half-meter high chignon (bun). The
Water-splashing Festival is their time to select a partner. They
celebrate the Torch Festival on the 24th day of the sixth lunar month.
Bai - Most of the Bai people reside in the Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture in Yunan Province, Southern China. Their dialect originates from the Yi branch of Zang-Mian Austronesian of Han-Zang Phylum and written text is influenced by the script of the Han Chinese. Bai cuisine is typically cold, with spicy flavours. Pork is their staple meat together with rice and wheat, while those living in the mountainous regions eat corn, buckwheat and yams. White is the predominant colour worn by both men and women. Women's dresses are trimmed with lace, embroidery and dark coloured decorations. Bai woman are also known for their elegantly designed headgear. The Bai are masters of art and creativity. Their extraordinary architectural skills are showcased in the three pagodas at the Chongsheng Temple in Dali. Most are Buddhists, but they do worship a "village god", Benzhu. Women worship their ancestors publicly in temples while men worship privately at home. Their skill in folk music and dancing are showcased in the Bai opera known as "Chuichui". The Bai's traditional festivals include the Guanyin Fair, Torch Festival, Butterfly Festival, and the Fish Pool Fair.
Blang - Many members of the Blang minority live in the Menghai and Jinghong counties in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. They are descendants of the Pu tribe who settled in the Yongchang area. They don’t have their own written language; they speak Wu, a dialect of Chinese. The Blang prefer to dress in dark coloured clothing and dress simply. Men wear collarless jackets over black loose pants with their heads swathed in a black or white turban. Women wear collarless jackets with Tong skirts and often arrange their hair into a bun decorated with "gazigazong", a silver hairpin with trail snail patterns. They favour sticky rice and sour food such as pickled meat, fish, and bamboo shoots. There is a great demand for their well-crafted bamboo products, dye works, and textile goods such as damask and brocade. Ancestor worship is still very much in evidence within the Blang. Most practice Hinayana Buddhism, however Shamanism and Totemism still exist. Grand celebrations are held during New Year's Day, Flower Festival Gongyang Festival, and the Kangshan Festival.
Bonan - One of the smallest ethnic minority in China, Bonan people are mainly Muslim. Living in the counties of Xunhua in the Qinghai province and Linxia in the Gansu province, the Bonan people's culture and traditions have a Tibetan influence. For centuries they have been renown for making sturdy knives forged from copper, brass or ox bone. Bonan women are skilled in paper-cutting and engraving. Traditional clothing for Bonan men are white gowns with black sleeveless jackets and white hats. Women wear colourful corduroy clothes. As Muslims, their staple diet is beef and mutton; they don't eat non-ruminants and their by-products. They are adept at playing string and woodwind instruments and being good dancers and singers . The Bonans celebrate the Corban Festival, Kaizhai Festival, and the Almsgiving Festival.
Chaoxian (Korean) - Since the seventeenth century - during the Ming and Qing Dynasties - Koreans have trickled into China from the Korean Peninsula - it was in the nineteenth century that saw large-scale migration. They settled in the northeastern provinces of Heilongjiang, the Yanbian Korean Prefecture in northeastern Jilin, Liaoning and Inner Mongolia. Over time they developed their unique culture into a recognized ethnic minority group. They have their own spoken and written language, which is a part of the Altai languages and have a reputation for a being well educated. White is a feature of traditional Chaoxian dress. Men wear a white shirt and baggy trousers fastened with two straps at the ankles and a jacket that closes on the right, not in front. Women wear long baggy skirts with a tight buttonless jacket tied with red, blue or purple ribbon. The Chaoxian's diet consists mostly of rice and millet, served with soups, piccalilli sauce, pickles and kimchi (pickled vegetables). Traditional Chaoxian festivals are similar to the Han people. They celebrate the Lunar New Year, Mid-Autumn Festival, Spring Festival, Dragon Boat Festival and the Pure Brightness Festival. August 15th is a Day of the Elderly; a day set aside to show respect to elders.
Dai - The Dai ethnic minority inhabits the southern part of Yunnan Province. They have their own writing system using an alphabetic script in stead of the typical Chinese characters. The Dai mainly follow Buddhism and seldom eat mutton with rice as their staple diet. They have developed their own calendar system using elements from the solar and lunar calendars. Traditionally, men wear collarless tight-sleeved short jackets, long baggy trousers and black or white turbans. Women wear short dresses with tight sleeves and sarongs. At around eleven years old boys tattoo their body and limbs. The Dai are known for their music and dancing talent and celebrate the Water Splashing and Door Closing festivals. The peacock is revered as a symbol of good fortune, happiness, kindness, and beauty. Their Peacock Dance is a popular activity during the Water Splashing Festival.
Daur - Thought to be descendants of the Khitan nomads, the Daur are a small ethnic minority found mainly in the Xinjiang and Heilongjiang provinces and Inner Mongolia. Recognizable by their high, pronounced cheekbones, their spoken language comes from the Mongolian dialect of the Altai phylum. It has three dialects, Buteha, Qiqihar and Xinjiang. Mandarin replaced Manchu as their written language. They were mainly farmers and herdsmen. Their intricate needlework is displayed in the traditional long gowns worn by the Daur woman. Over the gown, they wear a waistcoat with embroidered patterns along its edges. Daur men wear jackets with gowns that open on both sides. Their staple food consists of millet, oats, rice and buckwheat noodles mixed with milk. They eat pork, mutton and beef. The Daur are known for their Dagulu Handcarts and the Leleche, an ox-drawn cart. Most members believed in Shamanism. They celebrate the Anie and the Spring Festivals. They are fond of sport, playing a kind of field hockey - the Daur region is called birthplace of field hockey. The Lurigele is their folk dance.
De'ang - Their name come from their descendants, believed to be cave dwellers – ang in their language means rock or cave.The De'ang people reside mostly in China’s southwestern Yunnan Province and are one of the oldest tribes to inhabit that area. They have their own language with three local dialects: Ruojin, Bulei, and Rumai. Women’s dress varies with age, marital status and their dialect; some shave their heads and wear a black head covering. Woman usually wear red, black or colourful long straight skirts and renowned for the rattan or silver waist girdles and long earrings. Men wear black or white scarves wrapped around their heads, wearing ornaments on their neck, ears and hands. Most have tattoos on their bodies. They are skilled weavers of bamboo handcrafts. Their staple diet includes rice, wheat, potato and corn; they prefer steaming or stewing their food. Tangyuan, a stuffed dumplings served in soup is a delicacy. Most De’angs are Hinayana Buddhists and known for their strict etiquette and taboos. The Caihua Festival (Flower Picking Festival) is their most lavishly celebrated occasion. They also celebrate Buddhist Festivals including the Water-splashing, Door-opening, and Door-closing Festivals. They worship snakes - every village had a snake tree.
Dong - Found along the border between Hunan, Hubei, and Guizhou, these people are also known as handicraftsmen.
Dongxiang - This is another Islamic group residing in the Gansu province with a strong focus on farming and stocking.
Dulong - Known for making carpet, the Dulong believe in two spirits that control everything and only eat two meals per day.
Ewenki - Living in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, this ethnic group has a belief in varied Gods and are known for singing, dancing, wrestling, and horse racing.
Gaoshan - Most Gaoshan live on Taiwan and are known for farming and ritual daily activity; they also enjoy folklore.
Gelao- This is one of the older groups who believe in blessings from Gods and ancestors and excel at blacksmithing and stonecutting.
Gin - Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region inhabitants that subsist from farming and fishing and believe in Taoism.
Hani - This group resides close to the Yuan and Lantsang Rivers with spiritual beliefs surrounding Gods and ancestors.
Hezhen - The smallest minority in China, these people practice Shamanism.
Hui - Islamic believers, the Hui place spiritual beliefs at the very center of daily life.
Jingpo - Skilled carvers, painters, and weavers, the Jingpo inhabit the Yunnan province.
Monba - Residing in Tibet and known for weaving bamboo,the Monba practice a unique wedding ritual.
Mongol (Mongolian) - Mostly inhabit China's Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region with smaller communities scattered throughout the provinces of Qinghai, Gansu, Liaoning, Heilongjiang and Jilin. They have their own written and spoken language - a part of the Altaic phylum. There are many dialects of the Mongol language, but Khalkha is the official one. Mongols are known for their horse riding skills, often called "an ethnic minority on horseback". Living on vast grasslands, stockbreeding is their major source of income, supported by agriculture, processing of products and handicrafts. Traditional clothing is usually coloured in dark shades of red and blue or yellow. Their typical dress includes a hat, sash, "deel" (caftan) and upturned boots. Both men and women wear similar accessories: a red or green waistband, a snuffbox, a flint-and-steel for building fire, and a knife with an ornate sheath. The animals they farm are their source of milk and meat, which is their staple diet. "Kumiss" is a popular wine-like drink made from fermented horse milk. "Shouzhua Rou", a boiled mutton dish, is another delicacy. Their main religion is Lama Buddhism. The Nadaam Festival, also called "the three games of men" is celebrated in July. It's a festival where the traditional Mongolian skills of wrestling, archery and horse racing are displayed and tested. Mongolian New Year is celebrated as the Bai Festival, also called the White Festival as white is their lucky colour.
Mulam - The Mulam is a smaller minority group that believes in natural spirits and is skilled at pottery and iron forging.
Naxi - The Naxi are known for handicrafts, stock breeding, and farming; they practice the Dongba religion.
Nu - Southwest Yunnan province inhabitants, the Nu believe everything has a spirit - somewhat similar to fundamental Christian beliefs.
Oroqen - The Oroqen are inner Mongolia residents who are skilled at hunting and handicrafts.
Primi - The Primi believe in Gods and ancestors and live on agriculture and livestock.
Qiang - Found in Aba Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, the Qiang are a small minority in China.
Russ - The Russ peoples are Russian immigrants from 18th century; they also celebrate Christmas and Easter.
Salar - Handicrafts and agriculture are central to daily life for the Salar; they live in various regions throughout the country.
