Geographical Distribution of Achang Ethnic Minority in Yunnan

The Achang people are a minority group belonging to the Yi ethnicity, primarily found in the Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture (德宏傣族景颇族自治州) in the Yunnan Province. Their population is concentrated in three Achang-majority townships: Husa (户撒), Nangsong (囊宋), and Jiubao (九保), with smaller populations scattered across other areas in Mangshi (芒市), Yingjiang (盈江), Tengchong (腾冲), and Longling (龙陵). With an estimated population of 43,000, the Achang make up a small but important part of Yunnan’s minority communities.

The Achang people have a rich cultural heritage that is expressed through their unique traditions, festivals, and ethnic crafts. Among their major celebrations is the Aluwoluo Festival (阿露窝罗节), celebrated each year on March 20, with activities like dragon dances and intangible cultural heritage performances. They also observe the Torch Festival (火把节), the Water-Splashing Festival (泼水节), and Hui Jie (会街节), all of which blend local customs and interactions with neighboring ethnic groups, such as the Dai.

Cultural preservation plays a key role in Achang communities, with intangible cultural heritage including the famous Husa Knife (户撒刀), a unique and finely crafted weapon with over 120 varieties, and the traditional Achang Brocade (阿昌族织锦) weaving from Yunlong (云龙). The Achang people also have distinctive culinary and agricultural products, such as Lianghe Hui Long Tea (梁河回龙茶) and Husa Tobacco (户撒烟叶), both of which carry geographical indication certification.

Despite their small population, the Achang people have a strong presence in the cultural and tourist landscapes of Yunnan, with several of their villages being recognized for their historical and cultural significance. Prominent villages like Mandong Village (曼东村) and Mandan Ancient Village (蛮旦古村落) are examples of preserved cultural sites, while modern initiatives like the Achang Culture Museum (阿昌文化博物馆) and cultural tourism projects such as the Knife King Valley Scenic Area (刀王谷) are helping to bring attention to their rich traditions and way of life.

In terms of language, the Achang speak a dialect that has significant differences from the local Lianghe dialect, adding to the linguistic diversity of the region. Efforts to preserve their language and cultural practices remain integral to their identity, especially with a growing focus on cultural tourism and heritage preservation.

Distribution and Population Data

Core Distribution

The Achang people, a minority group under the Yi ethnicity, are primarily concentrated in the Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture (德宏傣族景颇族自治州) in Yunnan Province. Key areas of settlement include the following:

Husa Achang Ethnic Township (陇川县户撒阿昌族乡), with 15,000 Achang people, representing 55.53% of the population.

Nangsong Achang Ethnic Township (梁河县囊宋阿昌族乡), with 4,599 people, or 18.6% of the population.

Jiubao Achang Ethnic Township (梁河县九保阿昌族乡).

Other populations can be found in Mangshi, Yingjiang, Tengchong (Xinhua Township), Longling (Longshan Township), and Yunlong (Caojian Township).

Population Size

The total Achang population is about 43,000 (as of 2021), representing 0.03% of the minority population in Yunnan.

Administrative Division

Autonomous Areas

While there is no designated Achang Autonomous Prefecture, the Achang people fall under the administration of Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture.

County and Township

There are no county-level autonomous units for the Achang people, but three Achang ethnic townships exist: Husa, Nangsong, and Jiubao.

Largest Population Area

The largest Achang population resides in Dehong Prefecture (陇川县, 梁河县, and 芒市), which accounts for 82% of the Achang people in the province.

Population Distribution by Township (2024 Data)

Featured Villages and Certification

Traditional Villages

Mandong Village (曼东村) – Longchuan County (陇川县), known for its traditional stone buildings.

Mandan Ancient Village (蛮旦古村落) – Longling County (龙陵县), a historically significant village.

Bajiaozhuang Village (坝角村) – Tengchong City (腾冲市), a mixed Achang-Han village.

Ethnic Cultural Villages

Guanzhang New Village (关璋新村) – Lianghe County (梁河县), a cultural tourism demonstration village.

Miaodan Village (苗丹村) – Yunlong County (云龙县), known for its Ming and Qing Dynasty Tusi cultural heritage.

Mangmai Village (芒麦村) – Longling County (龙陵县), a provincial-level feature village.

Festivals and Activities

Key Festivals and Activities

Geographic Products and Cultural Symbols

National Intangible Cultural Heritage

Husa Knife (户撒刀) – Known for its sharpness, “soft enough to twist around your finger, sharp enough to cut through iron,” with over 120 varieties.

Achang Brocade (阿昌族织锦) – Traditional weaving practiced in Yunlong Caojian Township (云龙漕涧镇).

Geographical Indication Products

Lianghe Hui Long Tea (梁河回龙茶) – Certified as a national agricultural product.

Husa Tobacco (户撒烟叶) – A specialty tobacco using a traditional bamboo drying technique.

Specialty Products

Guoshou Rice Noodles (过手米线)

Huanghua Baji (黄花粑粑)

Suzi Baji (苏子粑粑)

Cross-District Distribution (16 Districts, 6 with Distribution)

Cultural Protection Status

Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritors

Xiang Lao Sai (项老赛) – National inheritor of the Husa Knife (户撒刀).

Cultural and Tourism Integration Cases

Husa Township (户撒乡): Knife King Valley Scenic Area (刀王谷), Aluwoluo Cultural Square (阿露窝罗文化广场).

Guanzhang New Village (关璋新村): Achang Culture Museum (阿昌文化博物馆), Homestay Clusters (民宿集群).

Academic Value

The Husa Dialect (户撒方言) and the Lianghe Dialect (梁河方言) have significant differences and belong to the Sino-Tibetan language family, specifically the Tibeto-Burman branch.