The Yao nationality is distributed over Guangxi, Hunan, Yunnan, Guangdong, Jiangxi and Hainan provinces and regions. The population is 2.13 million.
The Yaos call themselves "Mian", "Jinmen", "Bunu", "Lajia" and "Bingduoyou" etc. They are also called "Panyao", Shanziyao", "Guoshanyao", "Pindiyao" and "Baikuyao" in different names. As to the origin of the Yao nationality, the majority of the people believe that they are related to "Jingman", "Wulingman" from Changsha, "Muyao" and "Mango" tribes in the ancient time.
The Yaos have their own language that belongs to the Chinese-Tibetan language family. As they are widely spread in different resident areas, the Yao language differs rather greatly at different localities. Normally they use the Chinese language and Chuang language in conversation. The Yaos have no written language of their own.
The Yaos grow paddy rice and maise as the main crops and simultaneously cultivated such economic forest as China fir, bamboo and oil-tea camelia.
Yao Nationality appears on the following banknote(s):
| |
_a.jpg)
_b.jpg)