Geographical Distribution of Ake Ethnic People

The Ake Ethnic Group (阿克人) is primarily found in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture (西双版纳傣族自治州) in Yunnan Province. The Ake people’s main settlement areas are in Mengla County (勐腊县) and Jinghong City (景洪市), with an estimated total population of 2,000 to 6,000.

Core Distribution and Population Data

Main Settlements

  • Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture (西双版纳傣族自治州): The core area of the Ake people, concentrated in Mengla County (勐腊县) and Jinghong City (景洪市).

  • Mengla County (勐腊县): Includes areas along the Nanla River (南腊河), Nanliang River (南亮河), Nanman River (南满河), and Nan’e River (南俄河), with settlements like Ake Lao Village (阿克老寨) in Menglun Town (勐仑镇), Daka Village (大卡村), and Xinzai Village (新寨).

  • Jinghong City (景洪市): Includes settlements in Gasa Township (嘎洒乡) like Manmai Village (曼迈村) with old, middle, and new villages, and Menghan Town (勐罕镇) like Manhui Village (曼辉小寨).

Population Statistics

  • The total population of the Ake people in Yunnan Province is about 2,000 to 6,000, accounting for 0.03%-0.08% of the total minority population in the region.

  • The largest settlement is Ake Lao Village (阿克老寨) in Mengla County (勐腊县) with 209 people, while Manmai Village (曼迈村) in Jinghong City (景洪市) has approximately 300 people across three villages.

Autonomous Administrative Regions

Administrative Belonging

  • The Ake people’s settlements are under the jurisdiction of Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture (西双版纳傣族自治州), with no independent Ake Autonomous Prefecture or Ake Autonomous County.

Autonomous Township Status

  • There is no established Ake Ethnic Township or Autonomous Township for the Ake people.

Largest Population Area

  • Prefecture: Xishuangbanna (西双版纳) (entire population of the Ake people).

  • County: Mengla County (勐腊县) (approximately 1,000 people).

  • Township: Menglun Town (勐仑镇) (with Ake Lao Village as the core settlement).

Unique Villages and Cultural Heritage

Representative Villages

Village Township Special Features
Ake Lao Village (阿克老寨) Menglun Town (勐仑镇), Mengla County (勐腊县) Largest settlement, retaining the traditional Wotu Festival (窝托节) celebration
Manhui Village (曼辉小寨) Menghan Town (勐罕镇), Jinghong City (景洪市) An independent Ake village, preserving the distinctive blue cloth skirt attire

Traditional Festivals

Festival Name Date Location Features
Wotu Festival (窝托节) Fourth lunar month Ake Lao Village (阿克老寨), Menglun Town (勐仑镇), Mengla County (勐腊县) Includes traditional dances like the Copper Drum Dance and Qiao Soul Welcoming
Yelie Festival (耶列节) Winter Mengla County (勐腊县) A celebration of the Ake people’s ancient sacrificial rituals, showcasing their primitive worship culture

Cultural Features and Geographic Markers

Unique Cultural Traits

  • Clothing: Women wear blue cloth long skirts (青布长裙) adorned with floral patterns, which is distinct from the attire of the Hani people (哈尼族).

  • Architecture: Traditional stilt houses made from bamboo and wood, with ceremonies like dog’s blood-painted pillars (狗血涂柱), which are part of the primitive house-building rituals.

  • Ecological Wisdom: The Ake people in Mengla County (勐腊县) maintain traditional practices such as fengshui forest protection (风水林), which helps preserve the local ecosystem.

Geographical Markers

  • Nanla River Basin (南腊河流域): The primary living area of the Ake people, with a tropical rainforest ecosystem.

  • Rubber Plantation Belt (橡胶种植带): Ake Lao Village (阿克老寨) in Menglun Town (勐仑镇), Mengla County (勐腊县), where 99% of the land is covered by rubber plantations.

Additional Notes

  • The Ake people are not listed in China’s Traditional Villages Directory, and there are currently no government-recognized ethnic villages for the Ake people in Yunnan.