The ethnic groups of China in 1836; the different colors represent the majority groups in China's regions
The Yue were a grouping of indigenous non-Chinese hill tribes who inhabited southern China and northern Vietnam between c. 1000 BC and 1000 AD. The Yue "barbarians" wore tattoos, lived in primitive conditions, and were said to have lacked basic technology such as swords, bows, arrows, horses, and chariots. The Yue were gradually displaced and assimilated into Han Chinese culture as the Han dynasty expanded into southern China, but the term "Yue" came to represent Cantonese speakers during the Victorian era.