With a population of 411,476, Lahu ethnic group originated from Di and Qiang clans in ancient China and gradually took its shape during the constant moving south from Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. As one of the 55 Chinese ethnic groups, Lahu people live in compact communities mainly in Lancang and Menglian counties in South ChinaÕs Yunnan Province, and small number of them live together with other ethnic groups in several counties near border in southwest part of Yunnan Province.
    In history, Lahu was a hunting clan. In Lahu language, “la”refers “tiger”, “hu” refers “roast on fire” and “lahu”means “roast tiger meat on fire”. That is why other ethnic groups regard Lahu as “a clan hunting tiger”.
    The clan uses its own language - Lahu Language, which belongs to Yi branch of Tibet-Burma family of language under Han-Tibet language family. Lahu people have had a very close contact with Han and Dai for a long time, most of Lahu people can speak both Han and Dai languages. Before 1950s, Lahu people believe primitive religion based on polytheism. Later, Great Vehicle Buddhism was introduced. At present, small amount of Lahu villagers in communities believe Christian and Catholic religions.