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| Colorful Folk Customs
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 | Yunnan is a multi-ethnic province, and one of the only three provinces and regions in China whose ethnic groups' population exceeds 10 million. In fact, the total population of its ethnic groups in over 13 million. Of China's 55 ethnic groups, Yunnan has 51, of which 25 live within their own compact communities, and each has a population of over, 5,000. Fifteen groups were born in Yunnan, and have lived only in the province. They are the Bai, Hani, Dai,Lisu,Wa,Lahu, Naxi, Jingpo, Bulang, Pumi, Nu, De'ang, |
| Dulong,Achang and Jinuo minorities. The province has effectively implemented the state policies with regard to ethnic minorities. All nationalities here live and work peacefully in harmony and contentment. Colorful ethnic cultures and arts make up a "museum of ethnic minorities", presenting a truly charming picture. |
| House of the Ethnic Minorities.
The houses of the Naxi and Bai ethnic groups in northwestern Yunnan have kept the traditional style of Chinese architecture.They are made from wood or bricks,with white -washed walls ,in the form of three houses ,one main house ,and teo connecting houses ,plus one screen wall. The house are usually built with flying buttresses,carved beams and painted rafters,and in the courtyard,grass and trees are grown.They form a sort of living museum of traditional sculpture ,painting and calligraphy .The most typical houses can be found in the ancient towns of Lijiang,Dali and Weishan. |  |
  | The Dai ,Jingpo ,Wa,De'ang,Jinuo and Lahu ethnic
groups in the west and southwest of Yunnan make their houses from bamboo ,timber
and grass .They live upstairs ,and keep their livestock under the houses. These
bamboo building are well ventilated ,to suit the tropical environment. They vary
in style according to the ethnic group .The Dai houses are elegant ,the Wa houses
simple, while the houses of the Jinuo and Lahu people are large in order to accommodate
big families which include several generations | |
| The houses of the Tibetan,Lisu and Buyi ethnic groups also have their own style . The dwelling houses of the ethnic groups in Yunnan are all extremely practical.They display the ethnic people's wisdom,and their ability to adapt to their natural surroundings. |
| .Ethnic Clothing and Decoration. When you see minority women in the villages ,the first thing that will catch your eye is the decoration on their clothes. The clothes of the Yunnan minority people |
 | come in several hundred varieties, many inspired directly from nature,like the bambooleg wrappings of the Nu ethnic group ,tie-dying of the Bai group ,and water soaked cloth of the Dai group as well as the embroidery . The decorations on the clothes ,referred to as "historical records" ,carry many symbols and mysterious meanings . From the embroidered cloaks and pleated skirts worn by the Miao ethnic group ,the older generation can "read" the epic of ancient expeditions and migrations . |  |
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Folk Art. Legends tell us that the Creator created all things on earth from mud .In much the same way ,the people of all ethnic groups in Yunnan have created lively folk art from natural things: stone ,bamboo,paper and mud. The Dongba clay sculptures of the Naxi ethnic group ,and the Dongba painings and Characters ,are some of the superb folk arts of Yunnan . The clay figures and paintings,created by folk artists and originally used in sacrificial ceremonies ,are actually unique art forms.The clay sculptures include earthenware cats which are used for driving away evil spirits ,and the five hundred arhats in the Qiongzhu Temple in Kunming .Popular handicrafts include Jianshui pottery ,,the black and white pottery of Xishuangbanna,Lijiang red pottery and brown clay teapots. | |
| Folk Songs and Dances
Yunnan is a realm of song and dance ,famous both at home and abroad .Folk music in Yunnan can be dated back to the Warring States Period(475-221BC) and the West Han Dynasty(206BC-250,with unearthed bronze musical instruments as evidence .These bronze instruments include shengs (a reed pipe wind instrument ),cymbals, chimes, bronze drums, gongs, and calabash shengs. |  |
 | Songs
are the most common form of music in Yunnan,and are closely related to folk literure.
They include ancient songs of Creation,sacrifice and festivals.There are songs
of hunting ,fishing , pastoral songs ,farming ,logging ,husking rice and embroidering. In Yunnan ,all the ethnic groups can dance.The forms of dances vary from group to group .Some dances are accompanied by singing,such as the Tibetans "Guozhuang" dance,and the Naxi group's "Erere". |
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