Chinese Nationalities and Their Populations Minorities Shown Left to Right Descending by Population Minority Population Minority Population Minority Population Minority Population Han 1,136,703,824 Zhuang 15,555,800 Manchu 8,846,800 Hui 8,612,000 Miao 7,383,600 Uygur 7,207,000 Yi 6,578,500 Tujia 5,725,000 Mongolian 4,802,400 Tibetan 4,593,100 Bouyei 2,548,300 Dong 2,506,800 Yao 2,137,000 Korean 1,923,400 Bai 1,598,100 Hani 1,254,800 Li 1,112,500 Kazakh 1,110,800 Dai 1,025,400 She 634,700 Lisu 574,600 Gelao 438,200 Lahu 411,500 Dongxiang 373,700 Wa 352,000 Shui 347,100 Naxi 277,800 Qiang 198,600 Du 192,600 Xibe 172,900 Mulam 160,600 Kirgiz 143,500 Daur 121,500 Jingpo 119,300 Salar 87,500 Bulang 82,400 Maonan 72,400 Tajik 33,200 Pumi 29,700 Achang 27,700 Nu 27,200 Ewenki 26,400 Jing 18,700 Jino 18,000 De'ang 15,500 Uzbek 14,800 Russian 13,500 Yugur 12,300 Bonan 11,700 Menba 7,500 Oroqin 7,000 Drung 5,800 Tatar 5,100 Hezhen 4,300 Gaoshan 2.900 Lhoba 2,300 Clicking on any Minority Name will Give You a Picture and/or Description of that Minority China has some other unclassified or unspecified Nationalities numbering some 1,072,642 people. In the 1953 census 41 minority nationalities were specified. In the 1964 census, there were 183 nationalities registered, among which the government recognized only 54. Of the remaining 129 nationalities, 74 were considered to be part of the officially recognized 54, while 23 were classified as "other nationalities" and the remaining 32 were classified as "indeterminate." Foreign Nationals who have become Chinese citizens --- 3,421 Return to China Nationality Choices Home : Guizhou Travel Guide : Kaili Attractions : Langde Miao Ethnic Minority Village : Back Font Size:  -  Large  -  Small As one of the most fascinating ethnic minorities in China, groups of Miao people are everywhere in southwest China, mostly in Guizhou Province. But, if you really want to experience the authentic ethnic cultures, go visit Langde Miao Ethnic Minority Village in Kaili. About 50 kilometers north of Kaili, it's no doubt a beckoning tourist village. Miao Ethnic Minority is both mysterious and exciting. The Miao people are identified by their dialect, dress, location and other customes. In dress we have Long Skirt Miao, Short Skirt Miao, Black Miao, Flowery Miao and Long Horned Miao. By location there are River Miao and Mountain Miao. The villagers in Langde wear long skirts, hence they are "Long Skirt Miao". The Miao style houses "Diaojiaolou" and its featured and creative festivals will cause you spell bound. Around 500 villagers in ten families, the Langde Miao Village is considered small. Members of the Miao Ethnic Minority, they adopt common habits and customes. Entering the village, visitors would find themselves literarily immersed in works of art. Welcoming Ceremony: You find it amidst hills and bound by waters. On arriving at the entrance you could behold some beautifully dressed girls blocking your path. It's a welcome party and guests are allowed in after drinking their twelve courses of way-blocking wines -- a most ceremonious etiquette. Here, people are wearing colorful festival dress. Women wear gorgeous and complex silver jewelry, and some young ladies adorn silver horned coronal on their heads; men robe themselves in blue-black, with chuddar of the same color covered their heads. Each man carries a Lusheng (a bamboo-made music instrument) and stands in line to play the Lusheng pipe music. Miao-style House (Diaojiulou): After the welcoming ceremony, you walk into the village. The Miao-style Houses are of wood and high above ground. Each has several wood pillars as support. Therefore, it is called "Diaojiaolou" in Chinese. Homes are usually two to four storeys. Upper layer is used to store the provisions; people live in the middle; while fowls are sheltered under the house. An ethnic minority museum was built in this village where some ancient ethnic cultural relics are exhibited. Seen from a distance, the whole village looks like a mirage. Festivals: Festivals are occasions for the Miao people to get together and show off their culture. They have many traditional festivals all year round. But Lusheng Festival, Sisters' Festival and Dragon Boat Festival are best known. Miao girls'costumes are used in their dance, during which you could hear their silver ornaments twinkling lightly. After enjoying the wonderful performance, you may be invited to their homes by the local people. Of course, if you still want to linger here, guest rooms on Diaojiaolou are ready. Another village, Nanhua Miao Ethnic Minority Village, is the counterpart of Langde, about twenty kilometers from Kaili. Either will bring visitors unexpected pleasant surprise.    HMONG HUMAN RIGHTS VIETNAM Hmong Christians suffer chemical attacks in Vietnam January 23, 2003 Washington, DC (VOM) -- The Voice of the Martyrs has learned that Vietnamese police, anxious to stop the spread of Christianity in their nation, have resorted to spraying worshippers with an unidentified chemical agent.  Underground church services were raided and believers sprayed in two separate attacks last month.  Victims of the attacks report that the chemical gas causes seizures and uncontrollable shaking. The Voice of the Martyrs also has received a picture of a "re-education" session at one of the villages prior to the church being raided by police. "This is a new wrinkle in Vietnam's attacks on Hmong Christians," said VOM spokesman Todd Nettleton.  "We have long received reports of arrests, beatings and even Christians having boiling water poured down their throats, but these chemical attacks show that the Vietnamese authorities have sunk to a new low." The first chemical attack took place during a Hmong worship service in Keekher village, close to Mong Lai in Lai Chau province the morning of December 28th.  Twenty-four people in the service were immediately affected. However, when they tried to go to a hospital and get medical attention, police sent them back to their village without allowing them to see doctors. An additional 72 worshippers suffered symptoms after police had left the service. The second attack happened the following day at a Hmong worship service in the Dien Bien Dong district, in northern Vietnam.  ANS reported that 20 of the 40 Christians gathered for worship were hospitalized after the attack. The Voice of the Martyrs urges American Christians to contact the Vietnam embassy and urge a halt to these attacks. Write a polite letter of protest to: Nguyen Tam Chien Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Embassy of Vietnam 1233 20th Street NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20036 Phone: 202-861-0737 Fax: 202-861-0917 Email: info@vietnamembassy-usa.org "The world is hearing a lot about chemical weapons right now with Iraq in the news," said Nettleton.  "But here is a country using chemical agents against its own people.  I hope this vile act will generate the same outcry as it would if it had occurred in Iraq."   Chinese name Festival Date Location Activities New Year Festival (Dong) Feb. 9th -11th The whole Liping County Worship ancestors, Antiphonal singing, Dong Opera The New Year Festival is the most important one as the Han's Spring Festival. The Dong people call it "Guo Dong Nian" . At this very special time, Dong people will entertain the guests with You Cha, a kind of food with tea as the important materials. Tiaohuapo(Long-horned Miao) Feb. 18th  Around Liuzhi City Lusheng Dance, Antiphonal Singing The traditional ceremony for long-horned Miao youth for finding his/her lover by way of Lusheng dance and antiphonal singing. Gathing Festival (Dong) Feb. 19th Dimen, Maogong, Ladongluoda in Liping Worship Ancestors, Antiphonal Singing, Dong Opera During the Gathering Festival, villagers show their folk art, Dong costumes and folk customs completely. Lusheng Festival(Miao) Feb. 22th -29th 22nd in Shiqing 24th in Longchang 28th in Zhouxi Lusheng Dance, Antiphonal Singing, Bullfight The most common festival held often during the Spring, which the local Miao people welcome the coming New Year, and bless the bountiful crop harvest and good weather. Everyone can enjoy not only the traditional Lusheng Dance, but also the Lusheng Boxing, which is a perfect combination of ethic music and Chinese Martial Arts. Tiaohuapo(Small Flower Miao) Mar. 24th Nankai Lusheng Dance, Antiphonal Singing It is one of the most magnificent festivals of all. On this occasion, thousands of Miao people gather here on their typical festival dresses and costumes while singing and dancing joyfully. Firecracker Festival (Dong) Apr. 11th Shuangjiang and Longe Scramble for the iron rings fastening on the firecrackers, Local market The Firecracker Festival is an annual grand festival of the Dong Minority. At festival time, Dong people put on their splendid attires and gather on the square to witness the fascinating and exciting scene of snatching the firecrackers. There is always an iron ring which stands for the happiness and auspiciousness on every firecracker. Anyone who seized the iron ring will have a good fortune and happy life in the New Year. Wrestling Festival (Dong) Apr. 23rd Liping Wrestling competition, Local market The Wrestling Festival is another grand festival held by Dong people. It is a popular sports game and has its own characteristics: wrestlers holding the waists of each other. Player who falls on the ground later will win the game. Sister's Meal Festival(Miao) Apr.24th -25th Shidong Eating Sister's Meal. Beat bronze drum, Lusheng Dance The Sister's Meal Festival begins on the fifteenth day of the third lunar month, when unmarried women harvest rice from the terraced fields and gather together by the river to prepare it. During the festival, women have the family favor, especially the unmarried ones. The family prepares the selected meat, drinks and eats the Sister Meal for them while entertaining her lover and friends. Siyueb Festival (Miao) May 15th Huangping Lusheng Dance, Antiphonal Singing In memory of a dedicated cacique, the Miao people offer black rice. From a commemoration, it has now turned to an entertainment activity. Also, livestock are rewarded with food for the coming busy season. Dragon Boat Festival(Miao) July 1st-2nd Shidong Dragon Boat Race, Local market People assemble at the Qingshui River to hold the dragon boat competition. Eating Zong Zi (a kind of rice dumplings made of glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves) is usually associated with the Festival. Liuyueliu(Buyi) July 11th Zhenfeng Singing Competition, Play bamboo Leaves This is a special day for the youth as they choose and find his/her dream lover. It generally lasts for three days, and it is said that the couple chosen in this special period will most likely be happy. Heaven Bestowing Festival (Dong) July 11th Liping Wrapping Zong Zi, Engagement, Marriage The Heaven Bestowing Festival is a traditional festival of the Dong people. Maojie Festival (Shui) July 18th Sandu Antiphonal Singing It is generally held after transplanting rice seedlings. People always perform antiphonal songs besides entertaining guests. Heaven Worship Festival (Dong) July 20th Liping Worship heaven, Pray for a good fortune, Dong Opera Courtship, Local market. The Heaven Worship Festival is another important traditional festival of worshiping heaven of the Dong people. Mountain Climbing Festival (Miao) July 24th Mount Xianglushan of Kaili Courtship, Local market The Mountain Climbing Festival is an annual grand gathering that young Miao men and women are on the tiptoe of expectation. It is a festival for young people to choose their beloved lovers. The living style of the Matrilineal Society reappears during the festival for women are in the active position. Zabaige Festival (Buyi) July 26th Xingyi Antiphonal singing, Play bamboo leaves The Zhabaige Festival is a traditional festival of Buyi people. Before the festival days, every family unpicks and washes their clothes and then hangs them out, which symbolize the white clouds curling up, implying the cleanness and neatness. During the festival, young Buyi people put on their traditional costumes and take along with the tokens for the hope of meeting the loyal lovers. Singing Festival (Dong) Sep.16th 18th Jitang Lusheng dance, Singing competition During the Singing Festival of Dong, young men disguise them as beggars with mud and shabby clothes. They choose the young women for antiphonal singing. The reason why young Dong men disguise them as beggars is that they do not hope women distinguish them with appearances but their sincere hearts. Duanjie Festival (Shui) Sep- Nov Sandu Sacrifice Ancestors, Bronze drum beating, Horse race It is a festival for celebrating the harvest and ancestor worship. Every year it is held and lasts for 49 days, the longest time in the world. The main activities during the festival are the ancestor worship and horse racing. Mud Festival (Dong) Sep. 21st Liping Play with mud, Bullfight, Singing and dance The Mud Festival is a distinctive carnival of Dong. During the festival, Dong people will have a frolic in the field. They are all ready to pour the sticky mud into others' clothes. Lusheng Festival(Miao) Oct.28th -29th Chong'anjiang Antiphonal singing, Bullfight, Lusheng dance Lusheng Festival(Miao) Oct.29th -30th Gulong Antiphonal singing, Bullfight, Lusheng dance New Year Festival(Miao) Nov 20th -26th Leishan Langde, Xijiang Lusheng Dance, Antiphonal Singing It differs from village to village. Lots of activities will be held during this occasion. Large banquets will be set for visitors. From Nov.26th to 29th the festival will be held in Leishan County and will last about half a month.

MTG HMONG CHINA FESTIVAL DATES-BEST ADVENTURE JOURNEYS  IN THE WORLD Miao Nationality in southern china-yunnan-guizhou provinces The Miao are one of the most ancient of China's nationalities, tracing their origins back more than 4,000 years. Prior to modernization of farming methods, they grew millet and buckwheat using the slash-and-burn methods. The Miao language has three main dialects, but there was no unified written script until 1956. Religions include nature and ancestor worship and Christianity. Dispersed from southern China across northern Vietnam, Laos, and into Thailand, the Miao (also known as the Hmong), vary in dialect, styles of farming, and designation: Black, White, Red, blue, Flowery, and Cowrie Shell Miao among others. Forced southward by the Han, often despised and exploited, many settled in distant mountains, raising millet and buckwheat by slash-and-burn farming, their diet supplemented by domestic animals and hunting. Modernization, improved farming methods, organization of communes, and road building has been made difficult by the ragged terrain in which the Miao are scattered. The Miao are found in the Guizhou, Hainan, Hubei, Sichuan, Gansu, Guizhou, Qinghai, Hunan, Guangdong, and Yunnan Provinces and the Guangxi Autonomous Region. They are part of the Sino-Tibetan Miao-Yao ethno linguistic group. About 195 km almost directly east of Guiyang in the town of Kaili. Kaili is a fairly uninspiring place but the area is host to a large number of minority festivals, over 130 annually. One of the largest is the Lusheng Festival, held from the 11th to the 18th of the first lunar month. The lusheng is a reed instrument used by the Miao people. Activities include playing the lusheng, dancing, drumming, bull fighting, and horse racing. Participants are said to number 30,000. The festival is held in Danxi. Other festivals are held midway in the 7th lunar month and in their New Year. Their New Year is celebrated in the first four days of the 10th lunar month by some 50,000 people. About 752,000 Miao live in Yunnan Province scattered over eighty-seven counties. They are good at weaving, embroidery and Batik. Their excellent craftsmanship is well known.