China's Zhuang minority risks losing cultural distinctiveness
By Channel NewsAsia's East Asia Bureau Chief Maria Siow | Posted: 01 December 2009 0106 hrs

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NANNING: With a population of over 16 million, the Zhuang ethnic minority is the largest minority group in China. However, explaining their culture and adapting to the majority Han population is still a necessity.

The Zhuang minority came under the administration of China's central government over 2,000 years ago.

Hardworking and diligent, they were credited for their role in defending China's territory, especially against French invaders along the Chinese-Vietnamese borders.

They were also known for their role during the mid-19th century Taiping Rebellion, a large-scale revolt against the Qing government.

Famous ethnic Zhuangs include Li Ning, former Olympic gymnast turned businessman, and legendary Tang dynasty singer Liu Sanjie, or Third Sister Liu.

Liu was known not just for her beautiful singing voice, but also her courage in exposing the cruelty and tyranny of local officials.

Singing and music have a special place in the hearts of the Zhuang people, who used it as a means to decide on one's prospective spouse.

Gan Ziyu, an ethnic Zhuang, said: "In the old days, there was a rich landlord who was looking for a fine young man for his daughter. He came up with a singing contest.

"The person who was able to sing with his daughter to and fro for three days and three nights eventually became his son-in-law. This eventually became a Zhuang custom."

Given the milder climate in which they live, tropical and sub-tropical foods such as corn and rice, especially glutinous rice, are favoured by the Zhuang people.

Like other minorities, the Zhuangs have benefited from government assistance over the years. The Guangxi province, where nine in ten ethnic Zhuangs now live, was declared a Zhuang autonomous region in 1958.

In China, ethnic minorities are entitled to certain benefits which are not available to the predominant Han majority. For instance, they can have more than one child in spite of China's strict one-child policy and they also receive special benefits when entering colleges.

Even so, given the dominance of the Han Chinese, ethnic Zhuangs say they often have to explain their culture to the Hans. Another problem that they face is losing their cultural distinctiveness, due to the adoption of the Han language and greater assimilation with the Han Chinese.

"Given modern day progress, many things will have to change. We still maintain many non-tangible cultural characteristics, so we've not become completely assimilated with the Hans," said Gan.

- CNA/so