The Blang (布朗族, Bùlǎngzú; also spelled Bulong) people are an ethnic group. They form one of the 56 ethnic groups officially recognized by the People's Republic of China. Names Yan & Zhou (2012:147) list the following autonyms of ethnic Bulang in various counties. (布朗): in Xishuangbanna (阿佤): in Shuangjiang and Lancang counties (乌德尔): some Bulang of Shuangjiang; means 'mountain people' (乌): in Yongde ( in Gantang 甘塘), Zhenkang, Shidian ( in Hazhai 哈寨), Changning counties (佤): in Mojiang County Exonyms for Bulang include (Yan & Zhou 2012:147): (谟): Dai exonym for the Bulang of Xishuangbanna (阿别): Hani exonym for the Bulang of Xishuangbanna (拉): Dai exonym for the Bulang of Shuangjiang (卡朴): : Lahu exonym for the Bulang (巴尔克): Wa exonym for the Bulang of Cangyuan Puman (濮曼, 蒲满): Han Chinese exonym for the Bulang Languages People classified as Bulang in China speak various Palaungic languages, including Blang and U. The Blang language belongs to the Palaungic branch of the Austroasiatic language family. Within the Palaungic branch, Blang belongs to the Waic subgroup, which also contains the languages of the Wa and Lawa peoples in addition to Blang. Some Blang also speak the Chinese language and Southwestern Tai languages in addition to Blang. Two systems of writing based on the Latin alphabet have been developed: 'Totham' in the Xishuangbanna and 'Tolek' from Dehong and Lincang. History Chinese ethnographers identify the Blang as descendants of an ancient tribe known as the "Pu" (濮), who lived in the Lancang river valley during ancient times. It is believed that these people were one branch of a number of peoples that were collectively known to the ancient Chinese as the Bǎipú (百濮, literally Hundred Pu). Culture Traditionally, the Blang considered teeth blackened by chewing betel nuts a beauty characteristic. The women usually dress in jackets with black skirts. The men had tattoos in the torso and the stomach. They dressed in wide black trousers and jackets buttoned to the front. Often they would wear turbans of either white or black fabric. The houses of the Blang are made out of bamboo and usually consist of two floors. The first floor is designed as a warehouse for food and a stable for livestock animals, such as chickens, whereas the second is designed to house the family. The chimney is located in the center of the house. The Blang are traditionally divided into small clans, with