Chinese Ethnic Groups



Figure 1.--The photo here shows a Black Lahu boy wearing the traditional clothing. Lahu people live in China, Myanmar, Laos and Thailand. This photograph was taken in Thailand.

The dominant ethnic group in China is the Han Chinese. The Han dominate the country and the culture. China is, however, a large country and there are many different ethnic groups in modern China. We do not know much about these vsrious ethnic groups, but we have begun to collect some information. A number of these groups are very small, miniscule compared to the huge Han Chinese populstion. Lahu people live in the mountains of China, Myanmar (Burma), Laos and northern Thailand. Another ethnic group are the Lolo, a tribal group found in the mountins of southwestern China. The Lolo Tribesmen are found at the higher altitudes with the Han Chinese occupying the lower, more fertile lands. Into the early 20th century they supported temslves through both agriculture and banditry.

Han Chinese

The dominant ethnic group in China is the Han Chinese. The Han dominate the country and the culture. China is, however, a large country and there are many different ethnic groups in modern China.

Lahu

Lahu people live in the mountains of China, Myanmar (Burma), Laos and northern Thailand. There are approximately 25,000 Lahus now living in Thailand. Most people in Thailand call them "Museur"; however the group refers to themselves as "Lahu". Lahu originated in Tibet, migrating to southern China to escape Chinese aggression. The migration continued to Burma, some groups continuing to Northern Thailand and Laos There are four main groups of Lahu in Thailand: Red Lahu is the largest group; Black Lahu is the second largest group. The third largest group is Cheleh Lahu and is similar in culture to Black Lahu. Yellow Lahu is the fourth main group. Lahu villages are usually located high in the mountains at an altitude of approximately 1,000 meters. Houses are built on high stilts with walls of bamboo or wooden planks, thatched with grass. A ladder leads to the open central living area, with a store room to one side and living quarters to the other. Their domestic animals like chicken, pigs and buffalos are kept in the basement corral. Their practice of slash and burn agriculture does not provide them with even the basic essentials of life, let alone the enrichment to be found in education for their children, adequate medical care, and the simple amenities of modern life. Lahu women are skilled in weaving cloth, both on back-strap and foot-treadle looms, producing delicate patchwork trims, and unusual embroidery work. The Black and the Red Lahu still wear their very characteristic costumes. All the other Lahu tribes have supplemented the traditional costumes by sarong and Thai shirt. The Lahus are animist and believe in one spirit with overall control all the others. About 30 percent of the Lahus have been converted to Christianity and have abandoned their way of life. The Lahu are independent people and love entertainment and the easy life. The photo shows a Black Lahu boy wearing the traditional clothing (figure 1).

Lolo

Another ethnic group are the Lolo, a tribal group found in the mountins of southwestern China. The Lolo Tribesmen are found at the higher altitudes with the Han Chinese occupying the lower, more fertile lands. Into the early 20th century they supported temslves through both agriculture and banditry.








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Created: 7:55 AM 4/2/2007
Last updated: 2:17 AM 4/3/2007