Half of the Yao people speak the Yao language, others speak Miao and Dong language. As a result of close contacts with the Hans and Zhuangs, many Yaos also have learned to speak Chinese or Zhuang language. Before 1949, the Yaos did not have a written language. Ancient Yaos kept records of important affairs by carving notches on wood or bamboo slips. Later they used Chinese characters. Hand-written copies of words of songs are on display in the Jinxiu Yao Autonomous County in Guangxi. They are believed to be relics of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Ancient stone tablets engraved with Chinese characters can be found in a lot of Yao communities.

Historically, the Yaos have had at least 30 names based on their ways of production, lifestyles, dresses and adornments. The name Yao was officially adopted after the founding of the People's Republic in 1949.

Yao ancestors lived around Changsha, Hunan and trace their roots to Hunan's Qianjiatong basin. During the Song Dynasty (960-1279), Hunan's Yao raised cattle and used iron farm tools. Yao in Guangxi and Guangdong caught on to this during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911). The Yaos have such unique life styles that the various communities are quite different from each other. According to the Book of the Later Han Dynasty (25-220), the ancient Yaos liked five-colored clothes. Later historical records said that the Yaos were barefoot and colorfully dressed.

All rights reserved. Reproduction of text for non-commercial purposes is permitted provided that both the source and author are acknowledged and a notifying email is sent to us.