Tujia people
The Tujia (Chinese土家族) are one of the 55 nations that is officially recognized by the People's Republic of China as a national minority. The 8,353,912 ( census 2010) Tujia live predominantly in the provinces of Hunan, Hubei and Guizhou, as well as in the Chongqing Municipality.
The origin of the Tujia is not exactly demonstrated, although its history can be traced back over twelve centuries. For nearly a thousand years they have close contact with the Chinese Han majority, but only in the 20th century, the disappearance of the Tujia culture is observed, this., As a result of adaptation and assimilation into the Han culture Today there are only about 70,000 speakers of the Tujia language, while the vast majority of the high Chinese Tujia or Miao - language served. The Traditions of Tujia have been preserved only in the most remote areas.
The remaining vestiges of their own religion consists of Taoism, ancestor worship, and shamanistic rituals. The Tuya are known for the Baishou - hand dance. This nearly 500-year old community dance is accompanied by song and ritual gestures used 70 to represent war, agriculture, hunting, courtly life and other aspects of traditional life.
The living in the area of Shennong Xi Tujia today achieve the predominant part of their livelihood also from tourism by offering guided in the Shennong Gorge sampan boat rides for the trains running on the Yangtze River cruise ships.
Dissemination of the Tujia
Provincial level
At the census in 2000 8.028.133 Tujia were counted in China.
In Chongqing are 4.67% of the total population Tujia in Hunan 4.17%, 4.06% in Guizhou, Hubei 3.66% and 0.16% in Guangdong.
District level
Here only values from 0.5 % have been considered. AB = Autonomous District; AK = Autonomous District; RB = county.