The Maonan people entertain the guests with their traditional food, photo taken by Wang Guoliang in 1999. [Photo/ China Photographers Association]

Maonan ethnic group

Inhabiting Guangxi province, the Maonan people mainly live on agriculture. They utilize each inch of farming land to increase the yields and gradually they have rich experience of growing crops. Handicraft industries also play a considerable role in their economy. The Maonan people are proud of their beef cattle, which sells well in South China.

They also like to build houses, tables, utensils with stone, as well as sculpture. The most famous may be the chiseled works on the tumulus groups. It is really amazing that dexterous stonecutters can create so many lively sculptures of flowers, birds, fish, insects, and people without drawing or drafting them first.