ABSTRACT
The Han nationality constitutes the majority of the population of China, but there are many minorities (about 6.7 per cent of the total population) predominantly found in peripheral regions (especially in the South) and generally speaking their own language. The total number of living languages listed for China is 205 (Grimes and Grimes 2000). Among these minorities, 25 have populations of more than 4,000 individuals at least in part in Yunnan Province, with 15 found only there1: Bai, Hani, Dai, Lisu, Lahu, Wa, Naxi, Jingpo, Bulang, Pumi, Nu, Achang, De’ang, Jinuo and Dulong (Table 14.1). This ethnolinguistic diversity may be the result of extensive migrations in historical times, but probably also reflects the mountainous terrain (You 1994). Between the fifth and the third centuries BC, a great change took place among populations in Northwest China. At that time, Xiongnu people on the Mongolian plain began to expand their territory to Qinghai and Gansu Province. As a result, two ancient populations recorded as Di and Qiang were pushed to Southwest China. In the meantime, as the Qin and Han dynasties developed in West China, part of the northern populations was forced to move to Southwest China. Wars also compelled some populations to migrate to the Heng Duan Mountain area. They sought asylum in Yunnan between the Chun Qiu, Zhan Guo and Qin-Han periods, and have been settled there since that period. Due to the diversified environment, the favourable climate and rich natural resources, the province became an ideal place for many different populations to settle. On the other hand, it remained isolated from the outside world because of persistent feudal patterns and inaccessibility. Therefore, many populations also remained isolated from one another. Yunnan is now regarded as a key region for the study of Chinese ethnolinguistic diversity.
