Kolao

(also Ilao), a people in the Chinese People’s Republic. They live in the western part of Kweichow province and the Lunglin Autonomous District of the Kwangsi Chuang Autonomous Region. The Kolao number about 45,000 (1968 census). The Kolao’s language belongs to the Chuangt’ung (or to the Miao-yao) branch of the Sino-Tibetan language family. Neighboring peoples (the I, Pui, and Miao) consider the Kolao the most ancient inhabitants of the area in which they are settled. Their existence has been documented since the tenth century (the Sung period). They preserve their ancient animistic beliefs. Their principal occupation is agriculture, and they have developed trades and handicrafts, such as blacksmithing and embroidery.