Hainan Culture

Hainan island has a rich folk culture, derived many unique civil activities. Here is not only San Yue San of Li and Miao Minority with unique amorous feelings, but also Hainan international coconut festival, which is famous worldwide. But when it comes to culture, what Hainan people love to talk about must be Huang Dao Po(黄道婆), the first ancestor of cloth industry. The contribution of Huang Dao Po to the cotton textile technology and the integration of the Li and Han ethnic groups won the permanent memorial and love of the local people.

History

With a long history, Hainan has always been an unparalleled tourist destination in people's mind. However, in ancient times, it was a deserted place where emperors exiled "rebellious ministers" and also a place where heroes came into being. At the time of Hou Jing's rebellion(侯景之乱), Lady Xian(冼夫人) assisted his husband Feng Bao(冯宝) to calm the conflicts between the aborigines and the central plains people in present-day Guangdong province, promoted the reconciliation between the central plains people and the Nanyue people, led the tribes of all ethnic groups in Hainan island to submit to the southern Liang, and began to set up Yazhou(崖州), making Hainan island once again the formal administrative region established by the central dynasty of ancient China. Later, in order to commemorate the heroine, the Junpo festival was celebrated and the Xian lady temple was built. On the 9th to 12th day of the second lunar month, people would go to the Xian lady temple to burn incense in memory of the great leader. Today, people still carry on this tradition. At this time, the village still has to choose a larger place to perform this phase of history, sell local specialties, and entertain friends and relatives. This history is not only remembered by people, but also makes Hainan a unique culture.

Ethnic Culture

Ethnic Groups

Hainan is home to 36 ethnic minorities, including the Li, Miao, Hui and Zhuang. Many simple and honest customs and living habits are still remained by the ethnic minorities, making the social landscape of Hainan island colorful.

China Traditional Villages in Hainan

• Baoping Village in Yacheng Town of Sanya City三亚市崖城镇保平村
• Sanqing Village in Shishan Town of Xiuying District, Haikou City海口市秀英区石山镇三卿村
• Wenshan Village in Xinpo Town of Longhua District, Haikou City海口市龙华区新坡镇文山村
• Dongtan Village in Zuntan Town of Longhua District, Haikou City海口市龙华区遵谭镇东谭村
• Shangdan Village in Guoxing Sub-District of Qiongshan District, Haikou City海口市琼山区国兴街道上丹村

More Traditional Villages in Hainan Province

Inheritors of National Intangible Cultural Heritages in Hainan Province

More Inheritors of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Hainan Province

National Intangible Cultural Heritages in Hainan Province

More National Intangible Cultural Heritages in Hainan Province

Local Custom and Habit

• Ethnic Festivals: Featured ethnic festivals in Hainan include San Yue San of Li and Miao Minorities, Junpo Festival, Flower Exchange Festival, Lady Xian Culture Festival(冼夫人文化节), etc. 
• Languages: There are many languages spoken by Hainan residents. Among the different ethnic groups and regions in Hainan, 12 different languages and dialects are spoken: Li language, Cun language(村话), Hainan Miao language, Lingao dialect(临高话), Huihui language(回辉话), Hainan Min dialect, Danzhou dialect, Jun dialect, Hakka dialect, Mai language, Danjia language(蛋家话) and mandarin.