21. Chinese Nationalities (Lisu Minority) -- Minorities by Descending Populations

Lisu Nationality

The Lisu mainly live in concentrated communities in Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan Province. There are also small groups scattered in Lijiang, Dali, Diqing, Chuxiong, and other counties in Yunnan and Yanyuan, Yanbian and Muli counties of Sichuan Province.

According to historical records, the ancestors of the Lisu once lived along the banks of Jinsha River and Yalu River. Between the 15th and 19th century, they gradually migrated into the drainage areas of the Nu and Lancang Rivers. The Lisu people mainly engage in agriculture and the chief products are maize, paddy and buckwheat. Hunting also plays an important role in their life and the man who wins in a toxophily match will be greatly respected by the people.

The Lisu people take three meals a day. Their diet includes pork, beef, mutton, chicken, fish, rabbit and muntjak. The Lisu are subsistence farmers. The Lisu have arranged, monogamous marriages, but rather free love before marriage. The Lisu are found in Yunnan Province near the Burma border and also in Sichuan Province. They are part of the Sino-Tibetan Tibeto-Burman ethno linguistic group.