| Total population | |
|---|---|
| about 400,000[1] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Hunan, China: | |
| Languages | |
| Waxiang Chinese, Southwestern Mandarin, Xiang Chinese | |
| Religion | |
| Buddhism, traditional religions | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Miao people, Yao people, Han Chinese |
The Waxiang people (Chinese: 瓦乡人; pinyin: Wǎxiāngren) are an unrecognized ethnic group living along the Yuan River in Yuanling County of western Hunan, China. They call themselves Huaxiang people (IPA::/wa33 ɕioŋ55/)[citation needed] and they speak Waxiang Chinese. Compared to the Han, Miao and Tujia people of the region, they are different in terms of living style, farming and other cultural norms.[how?]
Population and distribution[edit]
The Waxiang people are an unrecognized ethnic group in China, with a population of about 400,000.[1] Currently, the views of scholars and the Chinese government are usually that Waxiang Chinese, the main language used by Waxiang people, is in the Mandarin subdivision of the Chinese language.[2] The Waxiang people are primarily located in northwestern Hunan province.
Ethnic group designation[edit]
Many of the Waxiang people are designated as Miao, while some are designated as Tujia or Han.
According to a study on their physical characteristics, the Waxiang were found to be closest related to the Derung and Lahu people.[3]
Notable people[edit]
- Song Zuying: mother is Miao, father is Waxiang.[citation needed]
References[edit]
- ^ a b Liu, Xing-lu 刘兴禄 (2009). "Xiāngxī Wǎxiāng rénmín jiān shòuliè xísú chūtàn" 湘西瓦乡人民间狩猎习俗初探 [An Exploration of Hunting Custom of the Waxiang People in Xiangxi]. Jíshǒu Dàxué xuébào (shèhuì kēxué bǎn) / Journal of Jishou University (Social Sciences Edition) (in Chinese). 30 (5): 49–53.
- ^ Reference 《中國語言地圖集》A1“中國語言圖”，A2“中國漢語方言圖”，B8“東南漢語方言圖”，B11“江西省和湖南省的漢語方言” (in Chinese)
- ^ Pi, Jian-hui 皮建辉; Li, Jie 黎杰; Li, Lin 李林; Zhou, Jian-bo 周建波; Wu, Yi-zhong 吴亿中 (2011). "Húnán Wǎxiāngrén tǐzhí tèzhēng yánjiū" 湖南瓦乡人体质特征研究 [A Study of the Physical Characteristics of the Waxiang People of Hunan]. Rénlèixué xuébào / Acta Anthropologica Sinica (in Chinese). 30 (2): 218–226.