The Yao, a non-Han minority moved many centuries ago from the Yang Tse basin to southern China, Northern Vietnam, Laos and Thailand. Their strong Taoist beliefs, seen in their magnificent paintings, helped them survive as a society with strong traditions, despite having no country of their own. Distinctive dress and silver jewellery also help to define their various sub-groups. This magnificently illustrated book, based on 12 years of fieldwork, covers all aspects of Yao culture. 750 colour illustrations