Li people
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| (1.3 million (estimated)) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Hainan and islands in the South China Sea | |
| Languages | |
| Hlai languages, Jiamao, Hainanese, and Mandarin | |
| Religion | |
| Animism, Theravada Buddhism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| other Tai-Kadai peoples and populations from mainland southern China |
The Li (; pinyin: Lí) or Hlai are an ethnic group, the vast majority of whom live off the southern coast of mainland China on Hainan Island, where they are the largest minority ethnic group. Divided into the five branches of the Qi, Ha, Run, Sai and Meifu, the Li have their own distinctive culture and customs.
They refer to themselves as the Hlai people, but they are sometimes colloquially known as "Sai" or "Say", and during the Sui Dynasty they were known by the name Liliao. The Li form one of the 56 ethnic groups officially recognized by the People's Republic of China.
The Li are believed to be descendants of the ancient Yue tribes of China and Vietnam, who settled on the island thousands of years ago. DNA analysis carried out amongst the modern Li population indicate a close relationship with populations in the southern Chinese province of Guangxi.
During the Japanese occupation of Hainan (1939–1945), the Li suffered heavily. They are held in high esteem by the Beijing government because they fought on the side of the CPC against Chinese Nationalist rule during the Chinese Civil War.Hainan Li-Miao Autonomous Prefecture was created in 1952 (abolished in 1988).
The Li speak their own Hlai language, a member of the Tai–Kadai language family, but most can understand or speak Hainanese and Mandarin.
The Li play a traditional wind instrument called kǒuxiāo (口箫), and another called lìlāluó (利拉罗).
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Wikipedia