Zhuang-Ethnic Minority
Mainly known for agriculture, specializing in planting crops, the Zhuang minority is one of the most populous nationalities among the Chinese minorities. With a population of about 15,489,630, the Zhuang are mostly distributed thoughout Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Wenshan of Yunnan Province. Divided into south and north dialects, the Zhuang language belongs to the Zhuang and Dai branch of the Zhuang-Dong Ethnic Language, as part of the Han-Zhang language phylum. The Zhuang characters were created in accordance with Latin characters. The gathering of the folklore, music, dance, craft and skills of the Zhuang minority, resulted in the creation of these people’s own Zhuang Opera. The Atabal is a good example of the Zhuang Minority’s folk musical instruments.
The Zhuang living in the Longsheng mountainous area called the "Northern Zhuang " different considerably from the Zhuang in southern Guangxi in bothe cothing and customs.
No doubt the origin of the ancient Zhuang civilisation goes father back than the rock carvings atHuashan Mountain. According to historical records, the ancestors of the Zhuang were called "Pu", and their leaders could be given the ranks of duke or marquies,similar to the nobles of the State Chu during the Zhou Dynasty (c.11th century-221 B.C.). THe Pu people were the originators of the bronze drum culture now prevalent among the various minority enthnic groups in the southwestern parts of China. There superbcraftsmanship is well demonstrated by the ancient masterpieces of bronze drums existing today.
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