Dai Majority
Xishuangbanna is composed of 13 nationalities. Besides wearing different costumes, there are 13 different cultures and different spoken languages. All the different nationalities enjoy the peaceful coexistence and create a bright future with their wisdom.
In China, Dai are mainly living in tropical and subtropical regions of Xishuangbanna. Dai people consist of Water and Han and Floral belt ethnic groups. “Dai” in its language mean the peace-loving people. As the biggest ethnic group in Xishuangbanna, with population is around 280,000. Dai majority accounts for 35% in the total of Xishuangbanna. The establishment of Dai Kingdom at the very beginning of 12 century AD lasted until the establishment of People’s Republic of China. Since Dai people are the earliest immigrants from along very southeast parts of China according to history, they enjoy the first priority to occupy the fertile lands ad abundant water areas. In contrast of all 13 ethnic groups, Dai people are more civilized. Dai written language is evolved from Sanskrit and systematic knowledge which brought in with Buddhism around 800 years ago. In Xishuangbanna, Dai and Bulang ethnic group people are Theravada Buddhism believers.