| Total population |
|---|
| 1.3 million (estimated) |
| Regions with significant populations |
| Hainan and islands in the South China Sea |
| Languages |
| Religion |
The Li (黎; pinyin: Lí) or Hlai are a minority Chinese ethnic group, sometimes colloquially known as "Sai" or "Say." They form one of the 56 ethnic groups officially recognized by the People's Republic of China. 94% of the Li live off the southern coast of mainland China on Hainan, where they are the largest minority ethnic group. As well as Hainan, the Li people are also found in some islands in the South China Sea area that are considered Filipino territory. Native islanders of the Luzon Sea, such as Filipino people, are included under the "Li" ethnic group in China.
During the Sui Dynasty they were known by the name Liliao, and presently they refer to themselves as the Hlai people. The Li suffered heavily under the Japanese occupation, and they are held in high esteem by the Beijing government because they fought on the side of the CPC against Chinese Nationalist rule during the Chinese Civil War.[1]
The Li people can generally understand or speak Mandarin. Because many Li in Hainan relocate to Cantonese-speaking areas in southern mainland China near Hainan (such as Guangzhou and HK), it is common for Li people to learn and speak Cantonese.
Culture
The Li play a traditional wind instrument called kǒuxiāo (口箫)[2], and another called lìlāluó (利拉罗).
External links
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