A group of Yi students, photo taken by Chen Caiming in 1980. [Photo/ China Photographers Association]

Yi ethnic group

The Yi ethnic group, inhabiting Yunnan, Sichuan, Guizhou and Guangxi, are quite skilled at painting, sculpture, embroidery, and drawing with lacquer. The women are quite adept at embroidery. We can admire and appreciate their skills on their beautiful waistbands, handkerchiefs, and hanging strips. The women's reputations are greatly influenced by their level of embroidery competence.

Their diets vary according to different regional conditions. However, because most of them live in mountainous areas, buckwheat, corn, potatoes are suitable for planting and are regarded as their staple food. Some of the ethnic groups do eat rice as their staple food. Pork, mutton, and beef are the main meats consumed.