Sichuan, a province in southwestern China, is a vibrant mosaic of ethnic cultures shaped by centuries of migration, conquest, and spiritual tradition.
While the majority of its population is Han Chinese—descendants of settlers from various regions during the Ming and Qing dynasties—the province is also home to 55 officially recognized ethnic groups. Among these, the Yi, Tibetan, and Qiang peoples are especially prominent, each contributing distinct languages, rituals, and artistic expressions. The ancient Ba–Shu civilization, once centered in the Chengdu Plain, laid the foundation for Sichuan’s unique cultural identity, which diverged from Confucian orthodoxy and embraced Taoist mysticism and folk traditions.
The Yi people, concentrated in the Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, are known for their vibrant lacquerware, totemic rituals, and ancestor worship. Their language, one of the oldest in the region, has been standardized to preserve its literary heritage. The Qiang, indigenous to the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, practice nature and ancestor worship and are renowned for their stone-block architecture and intricate embroidery. Meanwhile, the Tibetan communities in Ganzi and Aba prefectures maintain deep spiritual traditions rooted in Tibetan Buddhism, expressed through their monasteries, thangka paintings, and ceremonial music. Each group retains its native language, though many also speak Mandarin, facilitating interethnic communication.
Sichuan’s ethnic diversity is not only linguistic and spiritual but also deeply artistic. Folk literature, dance, and music flourish in minority communities, often infused with symbolic motifs and seasonal rhythms. The province’s cultural landscape is further enriched by historical influences from Central Asian merchants and the legacy of Taoist sects like the Way of the Celestial Master. Despite modernization and migration, these ethnic cultures remain vital, celebrated in festivals, preserved in autonomous prefectures, and increasingly recognized as treasures of China’s intangible heritage. Sichuan thus stands as a living testament to the resilience and creativity of its many peoples.
Entering the Gallery of Sichuan Ethnic Culture |
Model of traditional stone architecture from the mountainous regions of Sichuan |
Lacquer Cup with Silver Cover, Colored Patterns and Eagle Claw
Stand |
Lots Container |
Trantrist instrument Used in Religious Activities |
Iron Knife (top) Iron Knife (bottom) |
Qiang's Wood Human Head Pestle |
Shibi's Hat for a Religious Ceremony |
Copper Ghee Tea Pot (top) Copper Frog-shaped Teapot (right) Silver Teapot (bottom) |
Gawu Box with Vajradhara (left) Eight-treasure Silver Surface Box (right) |
Gild Copper Kettle with Cover and Lotus Petal Pattern |
Gild Copper Mask |
Wood Mask |
Traditional silver ornaments of the Miao (or Hmong) people
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See Also
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Sichuan Museum
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Sichuan Museum - Prehistoric Sichuan
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Sichuan Museum - Ancient Sichuan - Gallery One
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Sichuan Museum - Ancient Sichuan - Gallery Two
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Sichuan Museum - Ancient Sichuan - Gallery Three
Sources
Location