Of China's 55 ethnic minorities, 26 live in the south-west of China , in Yunnan Province. These range from the 8 million strong Yi people to a mere 6,000 of the Dulong people. The vast majority are peasant farmers following a way of life that has existed unchanged for centuries. Most minorities believe in a form of animism including ancestor worship, but the belief systems also incorporate elements of Buddhism and Daoism. These beliefs have done much to shape the people's cultures.

The Yi people, South-west China's largest minority, are animists and worship the spirits of ancestors, fire, hills, trees, rocks, water, earth, sky, wind, and forests. They also believe in Shamanism and the local shaman or medicine man, known as a "Bimo", conducts ceremonies for weddings, births, funerals etc.

The Yi people celebrate the Chinese New Year and their own festival, The Torch Festival, held in the 6th lunar month (July or August). During the festival, the people carry torches and walk around their houses and fields hoping to drive off insect pests. Later, the whole village will gather together to dance and drink wine together to the accompaniment of traditional instruments. Like many of Indochina's minorities, the sharing of rice wine to welcome guests and old friends is an important ritual. It is considered bad etiquette to refuse, but if you really don't like the wine or do not drink alcohol, you may be excused.

In Xishuangbanna , the Dai people have made their homes. They have their traditional religion but have also adopted Theravadin Buddhism. Related to the Thai people, they also celebrate Songkrat or the Thai New Year. During this important festival, all temples and religious images have to be cleaned with fresh water and the young should show respect by ritually washing their elders' hands. This custom has led the well known water throwing ceremonies, which are carried out here as enthusiastically as in Thailand.

In Zhongdian, renamed Shangri-la, the dominant minority peoples are Tibetan. The people here are, of course, Buddhists. The people are very hospitable and will offer drinks and small items of food to guests. The drink tends to be Yak butter tea, something of an acquired taste! But try to sip at least a little to show your respect and gratitude. Momos, the traditional dumplings of Tibet and Nepal are also popular here and are often offered to guests.

The Naxi people of Lijiang area are one of the world's more unusual and interesting ethnic minorities. Historically, the Naxi people followed a matriarchal family structure. Women were the heads of the family and property was passed through the female line. Women were also the main work-force and so were well respected. Today, this custom has mostly died out, but the elderly, especially women, are still given great respect.

The main religion of the Naxi is Dongba, a kind of nature worship. "Dongba" means "wise man" in the Naxi language and refers to a Tibetan shaman who founded the religion 900 years ago. The people have rituals relating to cutting trees for logging or firewood. These are not as strict today as in the past, but it is still sensible not to offend by cutting trees.

As part of their animist beliefs, some of the southwest China minorities have taboos against photography. However, others don't. So, it is wise to always seek permission before photographing people. You can visit Indochina Odyssey Tours to get more information about this.

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