Chiang

(self-designation, Juma, Jumei), a nationality in the People’s Republic of China, closely related to the Tibetans. The Ch’iang live primarily in Szechwan Province and number approximately 36,000 (1953). They speak a Tibeto-Burman language. The chief occupations of the Ch’iang are land cultivation and livestock raising; a subspecies of common barley (Hordeum sativum trifurcatum), wheat, millet, corn, and buckwheat are grown, and cattle, sheep, goats, and swine are raised. The Ch’iang also hunt and engage in handicrafts, such as weaving. They live in two-story stone houses. Male dress consists of a jacket, vest, and belted trousers; female dress consists of a jacket, skirt, apron, and, sometimes, a long robe. Feudal relations were predominant among the Ch’iang until the mid-20th century. The Ch’iang practiced Lamaism or worshiped mountains and natural forces.