/China/Hani/Ethnocide – Inclusive Human Learning (IHL) Group

Country: China

Group: Hani/Ho

Date Finalized: 10/28/21

Team: Lauren Poklar (Team Lead), Amanda Nelson, Omer Carillo, Kamaria Boyston

The Hani population makes up 0.1% of the total population in present-day China as one of the least developed hill tribes in Southeast Asia. The data quality showing the Hani have experienced ethnocide within China is a 1 due to relative lack of data sources and quality data.

The Hani experienced ethnocide from 1958 to 1961 and again from around 1966 to 1976. The Chinese Communist Party initially took over in 1949 and banned Hani from making offerings to ancestral altars, took away land and animals, and destroyed Sacred Groves in Hani-majority villages. The Communist government forbade the Hani from practicing their religion and confiscated livestock and land which prevented the Hani from having a source of income and increasing their population size.

Breaks in this communist interference offered periods of relief from 1962-1965. However, from 1966-1976 the communist party again prevented people from following the Hani religion, removed the three stones of the Sacred Grove from villages, and cut down the Sacred Trees. The Hani did not have full reinstatement in China until 1979. Upon reinstatement, the communist party returned Hani land and livestock, and began allowing the Hani to practice their religion once more (Hays, 2015).

Currently, there are no updates to the Hani people in China. They are one of the most traditional Chinese ethnicities remaining in China today, but with little documentation (S ong, 2021).

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