Social status in the Highland Yao villages is determined by behavior, accomplishment, generosity with others, and scholarship in religious studies. Each person has a well-defined role in Yao society. Men are also responsible for relations between the living family, their dead ancestors, and the world of spirits. In the villages, men fell the jungle trees and burn the areas to be cultivated. The women plant, hoe, and harvest.
Villages work together in building houses and clearing fields, and celebrate together at feasts.
Within each village community, there are a select few who gain prominence because of their literacy in Chinese. They become experts in the writing of ritual texts and family genealogies. Highland Yao dress reinforces their ethnic identity. Yao men wear distinctive earrings and specially embroidered tunics. Women wear elaborate costumes with bright red wool collars.