The Lolopo are a mountain dwelling animistic people of Central Yunnan numbering nearly 350,000. Classified as "Yi" by the government, the Lolopo never refer to themselves as "Yi" in their own language. Instead, in their own tongue, Lolopo means "Tiger People." There is an ancient respect for the tiger in Lolopo culture, but the Han Chinese majority have taken the term "Lolopo" and turned it into a derogatory reference.

Now Lolopo are very shy to tell outsiders the name of their ethnic identity for fear of being scorned. Usually the Lolopo and Han Chinese living near them are close friends, and the term "Lolo" is not used. When talking neutrally about this people the Han Chinese only call them "Yi." When asked what kind of Yi the Lolopo are, the Han Chinese respond "White Yi" or sometimes "Black Yi."