People & Society

Yunnan’s 44 million inhabitants put the province in the same population league as many Greater Mekong Sub-region countries, and include 25-plus ethnic minorities, almost half of all those in China. The Han comprise 67%, followed by the Yi with 11%. The Bai, Hani, Zhuang Dai and Miao each make up between 2.5-3.6%, with less than 2% going to each of the remaining tribes, including the Naxi with their rare matriarchal society.

Religion plays a defining role in separating Yunnan’s ethnic groups from others in China. The province ranks first in the number of beliefs, covering various sects of Buddhism, Islam, Daoism, Christianity and True Unity. These religions have influenced local beliefs. An example is when Mahayana Buddhism reached Erhai Lake; locals merged it with their worship of Avalokitesvara (Goddess of Mercy) and three Nanchao kings.

Geography has also affected the wide distribution of the different ethnic minorities, placing them in close-knit communities of 5,000-8,000. River valleys and border areas host 10 tribes which account for the majority of the population, followed by low mountain dwellers (5 million) and highland tribes (4 million).

Language
The official language in Yunnan, as elsewhere in China, is Mandarin, which is spoken by more people than any other language in the world. The Han speak a Mandarin dialect, and almost all minorities have their own languages.

Speaking Chinese Mandarin
Hello                    Ni hao
How are you?      Ni ne?
I am fine.             Hao
Goodbye              Zéi jién
Please                 Qin
Thank you           Xie xie
Excuse me          Dué bé qé
Welcome            Bukeqi
Yes                    Shé de
No                     Bushi

Religion
Because of its ethnic diversity, religious beliefs throughout Yunnan are varied and complex. One group may believe in several religions simultaneously, while other groups may share one common belief. However, four distinct religions are practised in Yunnan: Buddhism, Taoism, Islam and Christianity.

Three branches of Buddhism can be found in the province. Chinese Buddhism was introduced around the 8th century and is now prevalent in Kunming and other cities. Although the Han are the major adherents, the Bai and some Naxi also embrace it. Theravada Buddhism, which dominates the other countries in the Greater Mekong Sub-region but in China is unique to Yunnan, was introduced into the Dai areas in the 11th century. It is prevalent in the Zhongdian Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture and the Lijiang Prefecture.

Taoism came to Yunnan in the 7th century with the Han, and Islam was introduced in 1253 with the establishment of the Yuan Dynasty. An English missionary first introduced Christianity into Yunnan in 1877.