The Yao

This magnificent book is based on fifteen years’ fieldwork and research in China, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand. 'The Yao', a non-Chinese minority, first migrated many centuries ago to the southern Chinese provinces of Hunan, Guizhou, Fujian, Guangdon, Guangxi and Yunnan, most probably from the Yang Tse Basin. It is thought that they then pushed onwards to northern Vietnam, Laos and finally Thailand some time in the 13th century. Some nine or ten centuries ago they became Taoists, and adherence to this religion has helped them survive as a small but sophisticated society, with very strong traditions, customs and culture but no country of their own. All aspects of the Yao people are covered, including their many migrations, work, dwellings, religious paintings, manuscripts, elaborate costumes and silver jewelry. It is an invaluable record of of a people who have maintained their identity and culture in the face of a rapidly changing world.