Yao People 瑶族
Yao People 瑶族 The long-hair women on post #127 are Yao women. It's Yao traditional culture that women never cut their hair in their lifetimes.
Yao are are numbered about 2.7 million in China and about half of a million in Vietnam and is an official minority ethnic groups
for both countries. They are indigenous and mostly live in the mountainous regions south and southwest of China for more than two millenniums. There are quite a number of Yaos migrated to northern California after the Vietnam War because many of them from Laos were on the US's side.
The men and the women cover their heads with a black or red scarf. Some women, notorious for their long hair, substitute this scarf by a turban that can adopt different forms. The traditional suit of the women is of bright colors. They also decorate their shirts with decorations made out of silver. The Yao's religion is basically based on medieval Chinese Taoism, some are Buddhists and smaller numbers are newly converted Christians. Though some people have converted to other religions, many still remained practicing their traditions.
There are several distinct groups within the Yao nationality, and they speak several different languages, The Iu Mien make up 70% of the Yao populace and speak with lu meinic tongues. The remaining speak speak different dialects, including half of a million speak Chinese. In 1984 the Chinese government, with the helps of Yao scholars, finalized a Latin script for lu mein writing system. However many younger generations today prefer to use Chinese instead.
Official portrait of a Yao family
A recent group picture of Yao people
A distribution map of the Yao (in green) in SW China and neighboring countries
Some old manuscripts of the Yao before they officially adopted the Latin script in the 80s
A Yao woman's dress
A Yao Taoist costume
Yao drums for festivities
Old firearms of the Yao