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The Yi nationality has a population of 3,350,000. It has the largest population of all the ethnic minorities in Yunnan. The Yi live mainly in Chuxiong Prefecture, the Ailao Mountains, the Wumeng Mountains, and the small Lianshan Mountains.
The Yi nationality has more than 100 different sub-groups. Their clothing and personal adornments are very colorful. The Yi have their own spoken and written language.


The Yi love music. Women often sing while working and greet one another in song. A three-stringed fiddle with a handle about one meter long and a large sound box about a foot in diameter is played at social gatherings. Almost all men play this instrument. A flute is also played.


This people group appreciates music, dance and poetry about love. The most famous poem is Ashima produced by the Sani branch of the Yi nationality. It concerns the beautiful Ashima abducted and forced into marriage with the son of the local rich man. Her brother rescues her from this fate, but she is accidentally drowned as they return home following the victory.


The Torch Festival, the major festival for the Yi, is a harvest celebration and falls on the 24th day of the sixth lunar month. The festival originated from a legend about a battle between an ancient Yi hero and a devilish fiend. The hero wrestled and beat him. He taught his people to eliminate evils other forms of pestilence by enlisting the help of torches. From this time on, Yi people have prospered. The festival is held to commemorate this hero. During festivals there are bullfights, goat fights, wrestling and horse racing in the major towns