non-Han minority groups. Today, many Kam are assimilating into mainstream Chinese society as rural Kam move into urban areas, resulting in intermarriage with the Han Chinese and the loss of the Kam language. However, various attempts to preserve Kam culture and language have been very successful, and improving living conditions in rural Guizhou may entice local Kam villagers to stay rather than move to major urban areas. Language The Kam language (autonym: ) is a Tai–Kadai (Chinese: Zhuang–Dong) language. Ethnologue distinguishes three Kam varieties as separate but closely related languages: Northern Dong [doc], Southern Dong [kmc], and Cao Miao [cov]. Sui, Maonan and Mulao are the languages most closely related to Kam. Historically, Northern Kam has been influenced by Chinese much more than has Southern Kam. The Kam language has no traditional script of its own. The Kam people sometimes use Chinese characters to represent the sounds of Kam words. A Latin alphabet was developed in 1958, but it is not much in use due to a lack of printed material and trained teachers. Distribution County-level distribution of the Kam (Only includes counties or county-equivalents containing >1% of county population.) Culture The Kam people are internationally renowned for their polyphonic choir singing, called Kgal Laox in the Kam language (), which can be literally translated as Kam Grand Choir or Grand song in English. The Kam Grand Choir has been listed by UNESCO as a world-class intangible cultural heritage since 2009. Kam choral songs include nature songs, narratives, and children's songs. One-part songs (as opposed to polyphonic, or many-part, songs) can be sung by one or many people. They include: Duo Ye songs Love songs - accompanied by the pipa or niutuiqin Drinking songs Bride's songs Mourning songs Pipa songs Operas are highly popular among the Kam and are performed by local troupes. Two famous Kam playwrights are Wu Wencai (1798–1845), author of Mei Liangyu, and Zhang Honggan (1779–1839). Kam oral literature contains a rich array of legends and folk tales. Many of these popular tales are about the leaders of past uprisings (Geary 2003:218). Celebrated leaders include: Xing Ni - An ancient figure, whose legend dates possibly from the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Wu Mian - Leader of a 1378 rebellion during the Ming Dynasty due to drought and famine. Lin Kuan - Led a 1397 rebellion but was later executed. Popular among the Northern Kam and is commemorated by