[InKunming--Yunnan] Dictionaries on Chinese Ethnic Minorities - Lahu Volumes was firstly issued at Yunnan University of Nationalities in Kunming on the morning of January 1st. Dictionaries on Chinese Ethnic Minorities aims at comprehensively introducing 55 ethnic minorities in China from different perspectives. The Lahu Volumes is an important part of this dictionary, presenting the culture of Lahu nationality to the fulfillment.

In fact, Lahu Volumes is like an encyclopedia reflecting social life of the Lahu people in an all-round way. It consists of two volumes with 5,865 items. More than 3 million words in 1,606 pages are used to introduce Lahu people in terms of social, geographical, historical, philosophical, religious aspects.

Since Lahu people doesn’t have its own written language, and few related literature documents are recorded , the Lahu Volumes plays a key role in inheriting and protecting Lahu people’s culture. It is of great significance to understand and study the Lahu nationality in China.  

Lahu Volumes is the result of over 200 experts and scholars, who devoted themselves to the study of Lahu nationality for ten years. 98% of them are Lahu-nationality scholars.

Dictionaries on Chinese Ethnic Minorities - Lahu Volumes has changed the way of storytelling from one generation to another in the past. It not only offers the written way to inherit culture, but also provides a reference standard for ethnic teaching, according to Zhang Wei, a professor from Yunnan University of Nationalities.

"The premiere of the dictionary can be seen as a major landmark in inheriting the culture of Lahu. It is also great news for all the Lahu people," said Liu Jinrong, the chief editor of Lahu Volumes.

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(Editors: Rachel, Cathy Chen)