Geographical Distribution of Buyi Ethnic Minority
The Buyi ethnic group is primarily found in Yunnan Province (云南省), particularly in Qujing City (曲靖市), where the majority of the population resides in Luoping County (罗平县) and Fuyuan County (富源县). The total population of the Buyi people in Yunnan is approximately 55,000, making up 0.12% of the province’s ethnic minority population.
Key Settlements
The core settlements are located in Luoping County, where over 80% of the Buyi people live. Notable Buyi ethnic townships include Lubuge Buyi and Miao Ethnic Township (鲁布革布依族苗族乡) and Changdi Buyi Ethnic Township (长底布依族乡), both in Luoping County.
Other significant Buyi populations can be found in the Honghe Prefecture (红河州), including Hekou County (河口县) and Guangnan County (广南县) in Wenshan Prefecture (文山州).
Core Distribution and Population Data
Main Settlement Areas
Qujing City (曲靖市): The core settlement area of the Buyi (布依族) people, mainly concentrated in Luoping County (罗平县) and Fuyuan County (富源县), with a total population of approximately 32,000 people, accounting for 58% of the province’s total Buyi population.
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Luoping County (罗平县):
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Lubuge Buyi and Miao Ethnic Township (鲁布革布依族苗族乡) – The township with the largest Buyi population in the province, making up 72% of the total Buyi population in the county.
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Changdi Buyi Ethnic Township (长底布依族乡) – With a population of 5,817 Buyi people.
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Fuyuan County (富源县):
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Gugan Shui Ethnic Township (古敢水族乡) – A mixed ethnic township, with approximately 2,000 Buyi people.
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Honghe Prefecture (红河州):
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Hekou County (河口县): Qiaotou Township (桥头乡) – A border area with a Buyi population of 2,556 people.
Wenshan Prefecture (文山州):
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Guangnan County (广南县): Babao Town (八宝镇) – Home to around 800 Buyi people, living alongside the Zhuang (壮族) ethnic group.
Population Statistics
The total population of the Buyi ethnic group in Yunnan Province (云南省) is approximately 55,000 people (2025 data), making up 0.12% of the total ethnic minority population.
Population by Region
Prefecture: Qujing City (曲靖市) – Over 80% of the Buyi population is concentrated here.
County: Luoping County (罗平县) – Home to about 21,000 Buyi people.
Township: Lubuge Township (鲁布革乡) – The largest Buyi population, with 15,000 people.
Administrative Structure
Autonomous Regions
Yunnan does not have a Buyi Autonomous Prefecture or Autonomous County. The Buyi ethnic areas are governed under other ethnic autonomous regions, such as the Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture (红河哈尼族彝族自治州).
Ethnic Townships
Lubuge Buyi and Miao Ethnic Township (鲁布革布依族苗族乡), established in 1988.
Changdi Buyi Ethnic Township (长底布依族乡), established in 2009.
Characteristic Villages and Townships
Nationally Recognized Traditional Villages
Lazhe Village (腊者村) – Located in Lubuge Township (鲁布革乡), this village is listed as one of the first Traditional Chinese Villages (中国传统村落) by the Ministry of Civil Affairs. It preserves 131 Buyi stilt houses, making it a core cultural protection area.
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Special Events: March 3rd Water Splashing Festival (三月三泼水节), Bayin Zuo Chang Performance (八音坐唱表演).
Provincially Recognized Characteristic Villages
Village Name | Township Name | Features |
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Bajiaoqing Village (芭蕉箐村) | Lubuge Township (鲁布革乡) | Demonstrates Buyi Agricultural Culture, known for its terraced landscapes. |
Laodongxia Village (老董下寨) | Qiaotou Township (桥头乡), Hekou County (河口县) | Host of the Bull King Festival (牛王节), a place for cross-border cultural integration. |
Festival Locations
March 3rd Water Splashing Festival (三月三泼水节) – Held in Luoping County’s Duoyi River Scenic Area (罗平县多依河景区) (Main Venue) and Lazhe Village (腊者村).
June 6th Bull King Festival (牛王节) – Held in Laodongxia Village (老董下寨) in Qiaotou Township (桥头乡), Hekou County (河口县).
Geographic Markers and Cultural Features
Core Geographical Markers
Duoyi River-Lubuge Three Gorges (多依河-鲁布革三峡): Located at the junction of Yunnan, Guizhou, and Guangxi provinces, this area is the birthplace of Buyi Culture (布依族文化), with Karst landscapes and a cluster of stilt houses as its key features.
Nanpan River Basin (南盘江流域): The Luoping section is a traditional Buyi Rice Farming Area (布依族传统稻作区), where the “Sacrifice to the Rice God” (祭田神) ritual is still practiced.
Cultural Symbols
Intangible Cultural Heritage:
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Bayin Zuo Chang Performance (八音坐唱) – Provincial level.
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Buyi Traditional Clothing (布依族服饰) – Features batik (蜡染工艺) craftsmanship.
Special Local Cuisine:
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Five-Color Flower Rice (五色花米饭), Pickled Bamboo Shoot Fish (酸笋鱼), and Smoked Bacon (烟熏腊肉).
Additional Notes
Cultural Preservation: The Buyi ethnic group does not have an independent Autonomous Prefecture or County in Yunnan. Cultural preservation is mainly carried out through characteristic villages, with the core areas concentrated in Luoping (罗平) and the Honghe Hekou Border Area (红河河口边境地带).