They also elected a chief to be a representative of the village. However, since the Chinese Communist government was established in 1949, the administrative system has been submitted to the Communists. They have divided the country into provinces, districts, cities, counties, regions, townships, and local peoples. Although there is a birth limit of only one child per family in China, the Western Lawa are exempt from this law. They may have two or more children if their living conditions permit them.
Education is inadequate, giving rise to an illiteracy rate that is second only to Tibet.
However, since many Western Lawa have adapted to the prevailing Buddhist culture, it is possible that they have abandoned headhunting. The villagers believe in house spirits, local spirits, and spirits of the iron mines. They also rely heavily on witchdoctors. Many deities are regarded as disembodied spirits of ancient heroes. Forty-eight percent of the Western Lawa claim to be Buddhists.