The population is about 1.463 million. The Li people mainly reside in Hainan Province. They have nine branches, each of which has its own features and customs. The language of Li is used, which belongs to the Li branch of Zhuang-Dong languages of the Sino-Tibetan language family. Their dialects vary from place to place. Since the Li people have close interactions with the Han people, many Li people are proficient in Chinese. The Li script was devised in the form of the Latin alphabets in 1957. The Hainan Island where the Li people reside is located in the subtropical zone. The climate is warm and humid. The scenery is magnificent and the plants remain green throughout the year. The island is also rich in natural resources. Not only is their agricultural industry highly-developed, their production of tropical cash crops, such as rubber, sugar cane, fruits and oil, is highly advanced. In the past, the Li people believed in primitive religion. A minority in modern times believe in Christianity. The traditional festival of the Li ethnic group is celebrated on the third day of the third lunar month, during which memorial ceremonies of the ancestors are held in every village. Young people usually dress up and gather together to celebrate this festival, and they also express their feelings for their lovers from other groups in the form of antiphonal songs. Moreover, during festivals and farm breaks, the Li people also enjoy doing the characteristic “bamboo dance” in the courtyard or on the threshing floor.