
The Dai are actually a number of different ethnic groups sharing in a language family that spans borders
With a population of 1.3 billion and counting, China constitutes just under 20% of the world's inhabitants. Making up the vast majority of residents (91.59%) are the ubiquitous Han, leaving just a little over 8% to the 56 ethnic minorities officially recognized by the People's Republic. In Minority Report, we explore the colorful characters, customs and cultures of these fascinating peripheral groups. >>>
Though not one of China's larger minorities (they don't even rank in the top ten most populous of the 56 official ethnic groups of China), the Dai minority (Dǎizú, 傣族) are well-known in China for their annual Water Splashing Festival (Pōshuǐ Jié, 泼水节), which has become a popular tourist attraction for both domestic and foreign tourists in China. When the festival arrives, tourists flood the eponymous group's Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture. Even outside festival season, the group's culture is on display in ethnic theme parks and hotels in cities like Jinghong, the capital of the prefecture, which are often decorated with the sweeping roof styles of Dai architecture—more similar to Thai architecture than that of the Han Chinese—and offer flashy Dai stage shows.
Beyond the stereotype of a colorful, exotic minority with vibrant ethnic costumes and quaint customs, the Dai are an influential group that has held on to its culture and spread influence beyond China into southeast Asia.











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