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?]
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.
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]