The smallest sub-group of the Yao is the Daban Yao, with a population of 1500-2000. In 2008 they were included in Guangxi’s list of intangible cultural heritages. Their name supposedly comes from the women’s tall hats made from 80 layers of cloth. “Ban” in their language means “layer” (of cloth), so Daban Yao means “big(many)-layered” Yao.
[God] accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. Acts 10:35
Notice the womens’ striking headdresses. The Daban Yao believe they are descendants of lions and Qilin, a mythical Chinese animal that look like unicorns. Some say they are descendants of King Pan, the dog god, the common ancestor of the Yao. Hence the women wear tall hats to show the authority from these powers. The taller the box, the more wealth and honor in the family.
The LORD will be awesome to them when he destroys all the gods of the land. The nations on every shore will worship him, every one in its own land. Zephaniah 2:11
The Daban Yao take embedded gold teeth to be a sign of beauty and wealth. The gift of gold teeth from grooms to brides is like a diamond ring. If a woman has many gold teeth, she is said to be a happy wife - it shows her husband’s love and wealth. This practice is no longer carried out among the younger generation.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8