How did the Li people traditionally make their living in Hainan’s upland valleys?

The Li people, who are the indigenous inhabitants of Hainan Island, have traditionally made their living in the island's upland river valleys primarily through agriculture and animal husbandry.1

Their traditional livelihood practices included:

• Cultivation: The majority of the Li settled in upland valleys to grow paddy or wet rice.1
• Livestock: They raised water buffalo and cattle as part of their agricultural economy.1

While many Li have shifted toward commercial agriculture—such as the planting of rubber trees—following the reopening of the Chinese economy, these traditional practices in the upland valleys remain a significant part of their history and cultural identity.1