A photo of the Va singer and girls, taken by Li Fupei in 1955. [Photo/ China Photographers Association]

Va ethnic group

The Va people, inhabiting Yunnan province, live mainly on agriculture. The staple of their diet is rice, and they like to chew betel nuts and drink wine. They regard wine as a necessity when they host guests or their elders. During festivals, young men will toast girls with a special wine that is held in a bamboo tube, and girls will drink it through a straw.

Every time there is great event or festival, the Va people will hold the Piaoniu ceremony. In this ceremony, they kill an ox; divide its meat amongst all the families for sacrifice to their ancestors. The ox bone is given to the host of the ceremony and symbolizes wealth. This ceremony is symbolic of their wish for peace and great harvest.