The population is about 2.796 million. The Yao people are mainly distributed in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and also in Hunan, Yunnan, Guangdong, Guizhou and other provinces. The form of residence is large dispersion and small-scale settlement. The Yao people use the Yao language which belongs to the Yao branch of the Miao-Yao languages of the Sino-Tibetan language family. The Yao language is a general term for three languages, including Mian, Bu-nao and Lakkja. The languages of the Yao people vary greatly from place to place, and people cannot communicate with each other. The Yao people can usually speak the Zhuang language and Chinese. They do not have their own script, and Chinese characters are used generally. Most of the Yao people are engaged in agricultural production, and they are also engaged in forestry as side business. Their staple food are rice and corn and they also like the food of sticky rice. Their costumes vary from place to place but are all colourful. The women prefer livid clothing which is decorated with embroidery or pom-poms. The culture and art of Yao are also diverse and rich. The Yao people’s religious beliefs are complicated. Some Yao believe in nature worship, totem worship, and some believe in Taoism. The festivals are divided into big and small ones. There are the “Panwang Festival”, “Spring Festival”, “Danu Festival” and others among the big festivals whereas the small festivals are held almost every month. The “Danu Festival” of the Yao ethnic group in Du'an, Guangxi is relatively grand. It is said that it is a festival to commemorate the struggle of the ancestors against Tusi. "Panwang Festival" is commonly known as "Jumping Panwang" and "Fulfilling Panwang’s Wish". It is held on the 16th day of the tenth month in the lunar calendar every three to five years. The main ceremony involves praying by the master, dancing, singing Panwang songs, doing long drum dance and praying for blessings from Panwang (Panhu).