Dynasty rule was established there. The Mongols designated Yuan a province while establishing Dali and Heqing as prefectures. In order to strengthen their control over Dali, the Yuan rulers offered former chieftains official posts and granted their families hereditary privileges. Though land was mainly concentrated in the hands of the local aristocracy at that time, the feudal lord system began to give way to landlord system.

The Ming Dynasty took power from the Yuan rulers in 1381. The Ming court removed local chieftains and replaced them with court officials. This kind of reform resulted in the weakening of the political and economic privileges of the local lords, brought freedom to the slaves and raised the enthusiasm of the peasants for farming. Those Bais and Hans who had emigrated were encouraged to return, while Hans from other areas were persuaded to settle there. This measure accelerated the development of the landlord economy of Bai society.

In addition to the continuation of the Ming policy of dispatching officials from the central government, the Qing court also appointed local officials and chieftains to rule over the Bais.

Some Bai people in remote areas still suffered feudal exploitation and oppression at the time of liberation.

Step 2: Before you read

Please go over the word list for this module, paying attention to the pronunciation of the word, the relationship between its pronunciation and its spelling and then review what we have learnt in the reading.

Step 3: While you read

1. While you are reading the passage, pay attention to the usage of new words and phrases.

2. The following form will help you to understand the text.

item details item details

Population 2 million and 90% of them live in Yunnan Staple food pork, rice and wheat

Native region the Erhai region of Yunnan Architecture a style of traditional Chinese architecture, and build halls used as community centres

Main city Dali Clothes prefer the colour white, and Bai women wear white and red costumes, while the men wear white shirts and long wide trousers

Language their own dialect and Chinese Culture an opera-combining music and dance

Bai tea ceremony, in which tea is served 3 times

Crops rice, wheat, beans, and cotton Festival the most well-known festival-the Torch Festival

Step 4: After you read

Now you have read the passage and please complete the sentences on page 66.

For reference

1. Chinese is mostly spoken today/ they mostly speak Chinese today.

2. rice, wheat, beans and cotton

3. traditional Chinese architecture