Description

This is a namebase created using translated names of settlements inhabited by the Yi, also called Nuosu people. They were historically known as Lolo, and they inhabit mainly parts of China, but also Vietnam, Thailand, & Laos. Their language is part of the Sino-Tibetan family, in the Lolo-Burman branch. They are known for their colorful traditional clothing, worn with elaborate ceremonial adornments, such as large metallic headpieces. They are one of the most populous minority groups in China, with at least 9 million individuals (2010 data) in just China who identify as Nuosu, which is their preferred auto-nym. They exist in much smaller populations outside of China, with the largest being just under 5,000 individuals in Vietnam (2019 data).