China’s 56 Ethnic Groups

ethnichui

The vast majority (over 90%) of Chinese are Han Chinese.  The remainder is distributed among 55 other ethnic groups.  This diversity was displayed during the opening ceremonies of the last Olympic games where fifty-six children from the 56 Chinese ethnic groups clustered around the Chinese national flag supposedly represented the 56 ethnic groups. It was later revealed that the children were not actually from those ethnic groups.

Check out this impressive photo gallery that portrays the actual ethnic groups in professionally composed group portraits, with the subjects donning traditional garb and carrying traditional instruments or tools. Pictured above is the ethnic Hui people.

2 Comments

Brad December 3, 2009 Reply

Wow!!! Those are some of the most beautiful portraits I've ever seen. Absolutely stunning! Love the people, garb, light and settings. Thanks for the link – will pass it on to friends.

And thanks for the story about the "stunt double" children used in the ceremonies. Yikes! Wasn't aware of that…

Donald Kinney December 4, 2009 Reply

Well, what I know about China you could put on the head of a pin, but now I, at least, know just a little bit more…

I've got to send the URL for that "impressive photo gallery" on to a couple buddies of mine — I'm sure they will enjoy it as much as I did.

All the best to you and yours,

Don.

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