Historical photos of 56 ethnic groups in China (Part I)

By Yu Xiaoou (Chinaculture.org)

Updated: 2015-05-04

A Photo of Dong ethnic group children after school, taken by Zhu Kangle in 1956. [Photo/ China Photographers Association]

Dong ethnic group

Inhabiting Guizhou, Hunan and Guangxi, the Dong people work on agriculture, forestry and the industrial arts. The women are adept at spinning and embroidery and on the brocade. Most of their clothes are self-made in color of blue, black, white and purple. They are also skilled in the arts of painting, engraving and the casting of ornate silver work.

Oil tea is their favorite drink, which can also be their breakfast, whose ingredients include peanuts, sesame, soybean, tea leaves, and so on. A custom related to it is that, a guest is usually treated to a bowl of oil tea and a single chopstick; when he finishes drinking and does not return the chopstick, hosts will consider the bowl is not enough and replenish the bowl.