These are one of many different groups of native people of the area, meaning they are not considered Chinese. In this part of China minority populations make up more than half the residents.
Throughout China I saw many different costumes and ate traditional food representing the different tribes. They dress up and run restaurants, sell souvenirs, perform dances and music, but what they used to do or if they have any mobility in their lives I do not know.
Everyone I saw doing these dress-up jobs looked healthy and well and for the most part, except for this particular group, which makes me wonder, they looked happy and at ease.