De'ang

族About this people

The De'ang — historically called Benglong and before that Kawa — are one of China's smallest ethnic minorities, concentrated in scattered villages in Dehong and Baoshan prefectures in western Yunnan, near the Myanmar border. Related Palaung communities live across the border in Myanmar's Shan State. The De'ang language belongs to the Palaungic sub-group of the Mon-Khmer branch of the Austroasiatic family.

Chinese historical records note the presence of De'ang ancestors (recorded as Pu and similar names) in western Yunnan over 2,000 years ago, making them one of the region's oldest documented peoples. Their territory has contracted over the centuries as neighbouring Dai, Jingpo, and Burmese populations expanded, and today the De'ang live in small communities often within or adjacent to Dai and Jingpo villages.

Theravada Buddhism, adopted through Dai influence, governs the De'ang religious calendar and social life. Monastery architecture and monastic education are maintained in De'ang villages. One of the most distinctive De'ang cultural practices is the wearing of rattan or bamboo waist rings by women: multiple lacquered rings are worn around the waist and hips, sometimes numbering in the dozens. The rings are given significance in origin mythology and indicate social status. De'ang women are also noted for their elaborately pleated and patterned skirts in red, black, and white stripes. Tea cultivation is an important livelihood: De'ang villages often maintain tea gardens on their mountain slopes, and tea features in ceremonial hospitality.