Nu man and woman drink a cup of wine, photo taken by Ding Weiguo in 2008. [Photo/ China Photographers Association]

Nu ethnic group

Inhabiting Yunnan province, the Nu people usually have two meals a day. Their staple food is corn, supplemented with livestock and wild prey like fish, mossback, boar, and deer. They all enjoy drinking wine and guests are always treated with palatable wines.

They are naturally skilled at playing musical instruments, especially the 'Dabian', an instrument that resembles the Chinese pipa and the 'Nili', a kind of string instrument. When a young Nu man wants to woo a girl, he must play either of those two and the girl will reply while also playing. Through this way, they express their thoughts about work and life till they decide to become lovers.