Project Description
The Yi minority people.
The Yi Minority numbers just over 8 million people who live widely through south and south west China, Laos and north Vietnam.
The Yi of Yunnan province and the areas around Lijiang live high in the mountains in isolated villages, often above 3000m.
Once referred to as the Lolo they originally came from the far north west of China and Tibet, but have lived in the current regions for centuries.
As recently as the late 1940’s they had a fierce reputation and maintained a class system in which the lowest caste were slaves, often living in horrific conditions. Modern china brought an end to that system, though even in recent times, other minorities living in close proximity would tell their naughty children to behave or “the Lolo man would get them”
The few Yi that I had the pleasure of meeting were delightful people, always welcoming, humble and sincere. Meeting me would have been a very strange encounter for most of them…
