Hani People in China largely spread across the counties of Xinping, Zhengyuan, Mojiang, Yuanjiang, Honghe, Yuanyang, Lvchun, Jingping, Jiangchen (the regions of Honghe, Banna, Simao, Yuxi etc.) on the western bank of the lower reaches of the Honghe River, southwest of Yunnan Province. According to the fifth National Census conducted in 2000, Hani has a population of 1,439,673.

TOP Origin and history

As regards the origin of Hani People, four points of view are heard in the relevant academic circle, 1) Oriental Origin 2) Multiple Origins and Cultural Blending 3) Natives to Both Banks of the Honghe River 4) Shi Qiang Migrating Southwards

Oriental Origin: This school argues that Hani People share the same origin of Han People. This argument is based on the fact that in some Hani community of south Yunnan the names of father and son are interrelated, which originates from the Han regions of Nanjing , Shanxi, Henan, Jiangxi and Guizhou .

Multiple Origins and Cultural Blending: Scholars holding this view hold that Hani People is a blend of nationalities including northern hordes from the Qinghai - Tibet Plateau and southern agricultural people living on rice paddy from the Yunnan Plateau.

Natives to Both Banks of the Honghe River: Relied on the unearthed relics and antiques, this school forwards that Hani People is native to the Honghe River region and has nothing to do with those nationalities on the northwestern highlands.

Shi and Qiang Migrating Southwards: This is the most popular academic view, arguing that together with dozens of other nationalities in Yunnan speaking Yi language, Hani People is mainly derived from the ancient Shi and Qing clans.