The Wa nationality is a fairly ancient native ethnic group. It is one of the five principal nationalities in Pu’er. The Wa people are mainly distributed in Ximeng, Lancang and Menglian.

The Wa nationality is an ethnic group that leaps into socialist society from primitive society by just one step. The language of Wa belongs to Wa-Beng branch of Mon-Khmer language of Austro-Asiatic language family. The Wa people commonly believe in the primitive religion that believes in animism. They worship “Mu Yi Ji”, the god that creates everything. Palm wood houses are their traditional residences. Their traditional holidays include Wooden Drum Festival, “Picking up New Water” Festival, New Crops Festival and so on.