How many ethnic groups are there in Yunnan?

How many ethnic groups are there in Yunnan? Revealing China’s Most Colorful National Pictures

Yunnan, located in the southwest border of China, is known as the "National Grand View Garden". This is not only a treasure trove of natural scenery, but also one of the provinces with the richest ethnic diversity in China. So, how many ethnic groups are there in Yunnan? What are their distribution and cultural characteristics? This article will explain it to you in detail through structured data.

1. Ethnic composition of Yunnan

Yunnan is the province with the most complex ethnic composition in China. According to official statistics, Yunnan has a total of26 living ethnic groups, including Han Chinese and 25 ethnic minorities. The following is a list of the main ethnic groups in Yunnan and their population proportions (data source: 2020 census data from the Yunnan Provincial Bureau of Statistics):

2. The uniqueness of Yunnan’s national culture

Yunnan not only has a large number of ethnic groups, but also has its own unique culture. The following are the cultural highlights of several representative ethnic groups:

1. Yi people:It is famous for its Torch Festival, during which grand bonfire parties and folk performances are held.

2. Bai people:The "March Street" of the Bai people in Dali is a traditional festival that combines commerce, singing and dancing, and horse racing activities.

3. Dai people:The Water Splashing Festival is the grandest festival of the Dai people, which symbolizes washing away bad luck and welcoming the new year.

4. Naxi:The Naxi people in Lijiang have a unique Dongba culture, and the Dongba script is the only hieroglyphic script still in use in the world.

3. Characteristics of ethnic distribution in Yunnan

The ethnic distribution in Yunnan shows the characteristics of "large mixed settlements and small settlements":

• Border areas:The Dai, Jingpo, and Wa ethnic groups are mainly distributed in the borders and have roots in Southeast Asian countries.
• Plateau mountainous areas:The Yi, Lisu, Nu and other ethnic groups live in high-altitude areas and have formed a unique mountain culture.
• Pingba Valley:The Bai and Zhuang people live together in the fertile Pingba area, where agricultural culture is developed.

4. Ethnic policy and protection in Yunnan

Yunnan Province attaches great importance to the protection and development of ethnic culture and has established a number of ethnic autonomous prefectures and autonomous counties, such as:

In addition, Yunnan also ensures the inheritance of the cultures of various ethnic groups through measures such as intangible cultural heritage protection and ethnic language teaching.

5. Conclusion

The 26 ethnic groups in Yunnan together constitute the soul of this land. Whether it is the gorgeous festivals, unique costumes, or the diverse language and food culture, Yunnan has become a treasure of national culture in China and the world. In the future, with the deepening of tourism and cultural exchanges, Yunnan's national charm will continue to shine.