The Buyi (布依族) are one of the larger ethnic minorities in southwestern China. Their language, Buyi (布依语), belongs to the Zhuang-Dai language branch of the Sino-Tibetan language family, closely related to the Zhuang (壮) language. While their native language is widely spoken, the majority of the Buyi people are also fluent in Mandarin Chinese.

Historically, the Buyi people evolved from the ancient Liao (僚) people and have been primarily engaged in agriculture, especially rice farming. They are often referred to as the “Rice Ethnos” due to their long history of rice cultivation.

The Buyi are mainly found in Guizhou (贵州), Yunnan (云南), and Sichuan (四川) provinces, with the largest population in Guizhou. This province accounts for 97% of the national Buyi population. They primarily reside in the Qiannan and Qianxinan Buyi-Miao Autonomous Prefectures, as well as in cities such as Anshun (安顺), Guiyang (贵阳), and Liupanshui (六盘水). There is also a small community in Vietnam.

According to the 2021 China Statistical Yearbook, the total population of Buyi people in China is 3,576,752.

Key Information

Other Names: United and Diligent People

Population: 3.58 million (2021)

Primary Regions: Guizhou, Yunnan, Sichuan, Shandong, and scattered across other regions.

Language: Buyi (布依语)

Writing System: Ancient Buyi script, Latin-based new Buyi script

Beliefs: Maoism, Catholicism, Polytheism

Major Festivals: March 3rd, July 15th, June 6th, Maturity Celebration

Famous Songs: “Good Flowers Bloom” (好花红), “Sweet Osmanthus Brings Happiness” (桂花开放幸福来)

Notable Landmarks: Huangguoshu Waterfall (黄果树瀑布), Libo World Natural Heritage Site (荔波世界自然遗产)

Traditional Cuisine: Five-Color Sticky Rice (五色糯米饭), Da Lian Ba (褡裢粑), Zongzi (粽子)

Cultural Ancestor: Buluotuo (布洛沱) (Buyi script: Bauslegdoz)

Historical Event: Qing Dynasty Jiaqing Period, Buyi Uprising of Nanlong (南笼起义)

National Treasures: Bayin Zuochang (八音坐唱), Buyi Opera (布依戏), Buyi Circle Songs (布依盘歌)

Buyi Ethnic Minority in Yunnan

Population and Distribution

Population Size

Total Population: Approximately 55,000 (as of 2025), making up a small proportion of Yunnan’s ethnic minorities.

Historical Data: According to the 5th population census of Yunnan Province (around 2000), the Buyi population was 54,695.

Primary Distribution Areas

Key Settlement Areas: Located in the Luoping (罗平) and Qujing (曲靖) regions, particularly around the Jiulong River (九龙河), Kuaize River (块泽河), Huangni River (黄泥河), Duoyi River (多依河), and Nanpanjiang River (南盘江) basins.

Cultural Hub: These areas are recognized for their rich agricultural culture, particularly rice farming, and for forming a unique Buyi cultural zone.

Other Distribution Areas

Minority Presence in Yunnan: While the Buyi population in Yunnan is relatively small, approximately 97% of the Buyi population is concentrated in Guizhou Province (贵州省), with Yunnan being a secondary distribution area.

Cultural and Social Characteristics

Language and Customs

The Buyi people speak Buyi language, a part of the Tibeto-Burman (汉藏语系壮侗语族) language family, closely related to Zhuang (壮) language.

The Buyi people still celebrate traditional festivals like “March 3rd” (三月三), “June 6th” (六月六), and others.

Economic Life

The Buyi people’s economy is centered around rice cultivation, supplemented by fishing and handicrafts like batik (蜡染).

Major Festivals of Buyi Ethnic Minority in Yunnan

1. “March 3rd” Water-Splashing Festival

Date: The 3rd day of the 3rd month of the lunar calendar

Location: Duoyi River (多依河), Luoping (罗平), Yunnan Province, specifically in Lubuge Buyi and Miao Township (鲁布革布依族苗族乡)

Activities:

• Ritual Ceremonies: Offerings to the Mountain God and Water God, praying for good weather and abundant crops, led by village elders performing sacrificial rituals.

• Water-Splashing Fun: Themed “World Garden, Water Rhythms of Buyi”, featuring performances of intangible cultural heritage, water competitions, and more.

• Love Songs and Courtship: Young men and women sing love songs to express their feelings and showcase Buyi attire and traditional brocade weaving skills.

2. “June 6th” Traditional Rice Festival

Date: The 6th day of the 6th month of the lunar calendar

Location:

• Official Activities: Held in Kunming (昆明), organized by the Yunnan Provincial Ethnology Society (云南省民族学会).

• Local Celebrations: In villages of Luoping (罗平), though specific village names may vary.

Activities:

• Rituals for Blessings: Sacrifices to the Grain God, tasting new rice, and wishing for a bountiful harvest; some villages also hold a “village sweeping” ritual to drive away evil spirits.

• Song and Dance: Traditional rice flower dance, mountain songs, and youth socializing through the “long shout” (浪哨) custom.

• Family Reunion: Married daughters return to their parental homes, bringing gifts. The entire village shares a long street banquet.

3. “Seedling Festival”

Date: The 24th day of the 5th month of the lunar calendar

Location: Luoping (罗平) and surrounding areas like Canggen Town (仓更镇) in Xingyi (兴义).

Activities:

• Worship of Seedling God: Sacrificing pigs and chickens, praying for crop abundance.

• Cultural Performances: Traditional Buyi eight-tone music and folk dances, with participation from surrounding ethnic groups.

4. “February 2nd” Song Festival

Date: The 2nd day of the 2nd month of the lunar calendar

Location: Jiulong Street (九龙街道), Luoping (罗平).

Activities:

• Mountain Song Duets: Young men and women perform impromptu songs, including mythological tales and love stories.

• Modern Fusion: Incorporating elements of square dancing and creating a cultural exchange platform.

5. “Leaving Mother Festival”

Date: The 2nd day of the 2nd month of the lunar calendar

Location: Maguan County (马关县), Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture (文山壮族苗族自治州).

Activities:

• Making Mianhao Ba: A food made from wild mugwort flowers and sticky rice, symbolizing married women returning to their husbands’ homes to start farming.

The Buyi people of Yunnan center their cultural practices around agriculture, with festivals that blend worship, socialization, and entertainment. Major celebrations like “March 3rd” and “June 6th” are nationally recognized as intangible cultural heritage, marking them as the most grandly celebrated events in the Buyi calendar. These festivals not only provide insight into the region’s agricultural roots but also showcase the Buyi‘s vibrant cultural expressions.

Ethnonym

The Buyi people originated from the ancient Baiyue (百越) peoples. Before the Qin and Han dynasties, they were known as Puyu (濮越) or Puyi (濮夷). In the Eastern Han and Six Dynasties, they were called Liao (僚), and during the Tang and Song Dynasties, they were referred to as Fan Man (蕃蛮). Under the Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties, they were called Bafan, Zhongjia, Nongjia, Bulong, Longren, Turen, or Yizu (夷族).

The Buyi people themselves identified as Puyu (濮越) or Puyi (濮夷). The characters used to write this in Chinese include Buyi, Buyi, Buyueyi, and Bujang, meaning “ethnic group” or “people” in their language.

In historical records, the Buyi were often referred to as “Yizu,” “Yijia,” or “Yiren,” meaning “barbarian tribe” or “foreign people.”

In 1953, following the approval of the State Council and based on the desires of the people, the unified name Buyi (布依族) was officially adopted.

Origins and Early History

Some scholars suggest that the Buyi (布依族) people may have connections with the ancient Yelang (夜郎) kingdom of the Western Han Dynasty. Evidence for this includes the geographic overlap of the Yelang kingdom, which was centered around modern-day Guiyang (贵阳), Anshun (安顺), and the Qiannan and Qianxinan Autonomous Prefectures—regions where the Buyi people predominantly reside today. Additionally, the similarity in pronunciation between “Ye” (夜) and “Yue” (越), and “Lang” (郎) and “Luo” (骆), suggests that the “Yelang” kingdom (夜郎) might have referred to a Yue (越)-like nation ruled by a clan or tribe led by a figure called “Lang.” Ancient texts, including the Huayang Guozhi (华阳国志) and Houhan Shu (后汉书), mention “Yelang” as being ruled by a leader from the “Bamboo” (竹), which could symbolize the Buyi people’s historical roots.

During the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, and Tang Dynasty, the Buyi and Zhuang (壮) peoples were often referred to as “Li Liao” (俚僚), “Man Liao” (蛮僚), or “Yi Liao” (夷僚). From the Five Dynasties onwards, the Buyi were referred to as “Zhongjia” (仲家), while the Zhuang were known by the same pronunciation but different characters. This division eventually led to the establishment of the two distinct ethnic groups.

Archaeological findings in Guizhou (贵州), including in Anshun (安顺), Guiyang (贵阳), and Qiannan (黔南), have uncovered Neolithic stone tools, such as shoulder adzes and axe-shaped tools, resembling those found in Southeast China. These artifacts point to early Yue (越) cultures and their connections with the Buyi ancestors.

Ancient Societal Development

During the Qin and Han dynasties, the Buyi region saw the rise of hereditary rulers or nobles. These leaders established settlements, which were fortified and well-armed. This development indicates a relatively advanced level of social production for the time. Archaeological discoveries from the Han Dynasty, including bronze and iron agricultural tools such as plows, hoes, and axes, further confirm the well-developed agricultural practices of the Buyi people, though they were still behind central China, using both copper and iron.

After the Western Han Dynasty, the Yelang region was unified by the Han dynasty and became part of Zangke (牂牁) Prefecture, which increased contact between the Buyi and the central plains of China. During the Tang Dynasty, the central government established jiami (羁縻) systems in the Buyi region, appointing local minority leaders as officials. The Five Dynasties period introduced the “Bafan” (八蕃) system, which later evolved into more formal governance structures in the Buyi region during the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties.

The Ming and Qing Periods

In the late Ming and early Qing periods, the Buyi region saw significant improvements in agricultural tools and techniques. For instance, hoe designs became longer and heavier, and steel was added to improve their efficiency. Traditional grain threshing methods were replaced by more efficient mechanisms, such as the ta-dou (挞斗), and water-powered mills were introduced in regions like Luodian (罗甸), Anlong (安龙), and Pingtang (平塘). These technological advances led to greater productivity and the rise of a wealthy class, while exacerbating class divisions.

During this period, some people became landless peasants, while others amassed wealth and became landlords. The Qing dynasty’s “Gaitu Guiliu” (改土归流) policy, implemented under the Yongzheng Emperor, marked the beginning of the gradual dismantling of the Buyi people’s traditional tusi (土司) system. The Buyi people, as part of their resistance to exploitation, engaged in several uprisings.

Major Uprisings and Revolutionary Movements

The Buyi people have a long history of resistance against oppressive forces. The largest of these uprisings occurred in the second year of the Jiaqing Emperor’s reign, in 1797, led by Wei Chaoyuan (韦朝元), Wang Achong (王阿崇), and Sang Hongsheng (桑鸿升), who fought against the oppressive Qing dynasty rule. Wang Achong, a peasant leader from Anlong (安龙) in Guizhou, became a symbol of the Buyi people’s resistance. Unfortunately, she and other leaders were captured and executed, but their heroism continues to be celebrated in the region today.

In the mid-19th century, inspired by the Taiping Rebellion, several major peasant uprisings broke out in Guizhou. The most notable ones were led by Yang Yuanbao (杨元保) in Dushan (独山) in 1854, Lang Dai Ma Ashuang (郎岱马阿双) in 1855, and other farmer uprisings in response to the oppressive Qing rule. These uprisings, which lasted for 18 years, severely weakened the power of the imperial and feudal elites.

During the Second Sino-Japanese War, Buyi people actively participated in resistance efforts. In 1932, Wang Haiping (王海平), a Buyi leader from Wangmo (望谟), helped the Red Army by facilitating their passage through the area. In 1935, Buyi people welcomed the Red Army as they passed through Qiannan, and many young Buyi men joined the Red Army to fight against the Japanese invaders.

Resistance During the Japanese Invasion and the Revolution

In the 1940s, during the Japanese occupation, the Buyi people launched various resistance movements. In Zhengfeng County, thousands of Buyi and Miao people led an uprising against oppressive taxation and exploitation. The people of Dushan, Libo, and Zhijin joined the fight against the Japanese invaders and their local collaborators.

The Buyi youth continued their struggles even after the establishment of the People’s Republic of China. In 1943, a Buyi-led peasant movement rose in Anshun to protest oppressive taxes, and in 1948, Buyi youth formed armed resistance groups, fighting against the forces of the Nationalist government.

By 1949, the Buyi people, under the leadership of Wang Bingqun (王秉鋆), played an important role in the liberation of Guizhou and the establishment of the new People’s Republic of China.

These uprisings and resistance movements are an important part of Buyi history, representing their long-standing spirit of rebellion against oppression and their efforts for independence and equality.

Political Structure of the Buyi Ethnic Minority

Government Administration

During the Tang Dynasty, the central government set up “jiami” (羁縻) prefectures in the Buyi (布依族) regions, with local ethnic leaders appointed as “Prefects” to manage the area, a position that was passed down through hereditary lines. In the Five Dynasties period, the “Bafan” (八蕃) system was established, and during the Song Dynasty, the “jiami policy” continued. The Yuan Dynasty further strengthened this system by establishing various military and civil authorities such as “Xuanwei” and “Anfu”.

Under the Tusi system (土司制度) during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, the Buyi regions were ruled under a feudal system. The Tusi (local lords) controlled all land and exploited peasants (farmers and serfs), although they did not have absolute control over the peasants and were prohibited from killing them. The land was divided into smaller units and assigned to peasants, who farmed the land under strict supervision and were bound to serve their lords for generations.

Direct and Indirect Rule

Direct Rule:

Imprint Land (印田): The Tusi allocated the best rice fields to farmers, who worked the land without pay, providing all the produce to the Tusi.

Labor Land (劳役田): Some land was given to farmers to cultivate for their own use, but they were required to provide unpaid labor in return, such as working in specific fields like water-carrying, firewood collection, and vegetable farming.

Service and Military Land (把事田, 兵田): These lands were allocated to the Tusi’s assistants and soldiers to farm for their own sustenance but without any rent or tax.

Indirect Rule:

Grain Fields (粮田): These were public lands farmed by peasants who paid rent to the Tusi. After the Gaitu Guiliu (改土归流) policy, the ownership of these lands transferred to the imperial court, but the peasants continued to pay rent.

Private Estates (私庄): These were lands cultivated by peasants from outside regions, who were allowed to clear the land and farm it. While exempt from taxes, they had to provide gifts to the Tusi and pay an annual “fire money” fee.

The economic system in the Buyi region gradually shifted as wealthy Tusi, landowners, and merchants, including Han Chinese landlords, formed a new landlord class. The Qing Dynasty’s Gaitu Guiliu policy in 1727 accelerated the decline of the feudal lord system, marking the end of the Tusi system.

In 1950, after the Chinese People’s Liberation Army entered the Buyi region, the People’s Government was established. In 1951, a farmer’s association was formed, followed by land reform in 1952. On August 8, 1956, the Qiannan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture (黔南布依族苗族自治州) was established, marking the achievement of Buyi ethnic self-rule. Over the years, several Buyi Autonomous Counties were established, with further political restructuring in 1982.

Social Organization

The traditional social organization of the Buyi people includes systems such as “Zongzu” (宗族制), “Yilang” (议榔制), and “Zhailao” (寨老制). These systems originated from ancient clan management practices and reflect both democratic elements and the characteristics of a class-based society.

Zongzu System (Clan System)

The Zongzu System was organized around clans, each composed of one or more villages. These clans were closely tied by blood, and marriages were prohibited within the same clan. Every clan had a Zuchang (族长), or clan leader, who was chosen based on social prestige or wealth. The Zuchang’s responsibilities included maintaining family ethics, educating clan members on values such as fairness, respect for elders, self-reliance, and love for family and community. The leader represented the clan’s interests and ensured its honor.

Clan meetings, including full family gatherings, were held to discuss matters of importance. These meetings were held in the ancestral hall (宗祠), where the clan leader led ceremonies and announced rules. The costs for such ceremonies were covered by the clan’s “sacrificial land” (祭祀田).

Yilang System (Community Assembly)

The Yilang System was particularly prevalent in areas like Pingtang (平塘) and Huishui (惠水), where the term Yilang referred to a community leader or chief. The Yilang Assembly was the highest authority, and it had the power to resolve disputes, enforce laws, and organize defense and security measures. The system allowed community members to come together and vote on issues affecting their collective well-being.

Zhailao System (Village Elder System)

Every Buyi village had a group of elders known as Zhailao (寨老). These elders were natural leaders who were chosen by the villagers based on respect and capability rather than election or inheritance. The Zhailao mediated disputes, implemented communal laws regarding land and farming, and oversaw ceremonies such as weddings, funerals, and seasonal festivals.

The Zhailao system continued to play a key role in maintaining order in Buyi villages well into the 20th century. Rituals such as the village god festival were led by the Zhailao, and these events helped foster community cohesion and solidarity. The tradition of the Zhailao leading ceremonies gradually disappeared after 1950, though the influence of this system still lingered.

Village God Festival and Other Ceremonies

During festivals like Chinese New Year and Tomb Sweeping Day, the Zhailao would organize rituals in honor of the village gods. These ceremonies included animal sacrifices and prayers for a good harvest, and were important for maintaining social order within the community. These events also helped reinforce the Buyi people’s cultural identity and the unity of the clan.

Economy

During the Qin (秦) and Han (汉) Dynasties, the agricultural production in the Buyi (布依族) region started to develop, but it lagged behind that of the central plains. With the expansion of feudal forces during these dynasties, the development of social productivity in the Buyi area was promoted, gradually establishing feudal production relations.

By the late Ming (明) and early Qing (清) Dynasties, the social productivity of the Buyi people saw significant advancements. The weight and length of farming tools like hoes were generally increased, and the design of the hoe head was improved from a steel-tipped version to a steel-clad one.

With the improvement in production tools and techniques, production further developed, leading to the emergence of a landlord economy. After the Opium War (鸦片战争) in 1840, imperialist forces began to infiltrate the Qiannan (黔南) region, contributing to the gradual breakdown of the feudal natural economy in the Buyi area and transforming it into a semi-colonial and semi-feudal society.

After the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, the Buyi people, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China and the government, implemented a series of social reforms. This eradicated feudal land ownership and eliminated the sources of ethnic oppression and feudal exploitation.

The Party and government provided significant support to the Buyi people in terms of human resources, materials, and finances to develop healthcare. This led to the initial formation of a healthcare network in the Buyi region, effectively ensuring the physical health of the people.

Population

China

According to the 2010 National Census (全国第六次人口普查), the Buyi population in China was 2,870,034, accounting for 0.2153% of the total national population. According to the China Statistical Yearbook-2021 (中国统计年鉴-2021), the Buyi population in China is 3,576,752.

The Buyi people are primarily distributed in Guizhou (贵州), Yunnan (云南), and Sichuan (四川), with the largest population in Guizhou. Most of them reside in the Qiannan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture (黔南布依族苗族自治州), Qiannan West Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture (黔西南布依族苗族自治州), and cities like Anshun (安顺) and Guiyang (贵阳). There are also populations in the Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture (黔东南苗族侗族自治州), Tongren (铜仁), Zunyi (遵义), Bijie (毕节), Liupanshui (六盘水), as well as in Luoping (罗平) in Yunnan, and areas like Ningnan, Huidong, Puge in Sichuan.

Vietnam

A small portion of the Buyi people resides in Vietnam, having migrated from China about 200 years ago.

Culture

Beliefs

The Buyi people worship their ancestors and various deities. Mountains, water sources, wells, caves, and ancient trees with unique growth patterns are believed to be embodiments of spirits. Each village has a Land God Temple (土地庙). Specific religious ceremonies involve offerings to the God Bamboo (神竹). In various regions, the Buyi people also worship Thunder God, Door God, Kitchen God, Dragon King, and others. These reflect the Buyi’s primitive religious beliefs as an agricultural community.

“Moism” Religion

“Moism” (摩教) is a more developed religious belief system among the Buyi, existing somewhere between primitive religion and organized human religion. Religious practitioners are divided into “Bumo” (布摩) and “Moya” (摩雅). Bumo are those who have studied religious texts and rituals under the guidance of a master, and by inheriting their master’s teachings, they can begin their spiritual journey. Bumo honor “Baolu Tuo” (报陆陀) as their founding ancestor. During ancestral ceremonies, the first ritual is inviting Baolu Tuo to preside over the ceremony, establishing the authority of the ritual.

In Moism scriptures, Baolu Tuo is believed to possess extraordinary powers and wisdom, able to perceive both the past and future and solve any worldly problem. The core belief of the scriptures is that all things in the world were created by the ancestral deity Baolu Tuo, with everything having a spirit that needs to be worshiped and revered. Through specific ceremonies and conditions, things can transform, thus achieving the purpose of averting disaster and bringing blessings. Illnesses are caused by spirits, and rituals can expel these spirits. After death, the soul does not perish, but through specific rituals, it can be guided to enter the realm of immortals.

The Bumo have a complete set of sacrificial texts—Mo Jing (摩经), which include various scriptures such as the multi-volume Funeral Sutra (殡亡经) and Ancient Thanks Sutra (古谢经) for mourning and soul elevation, as well as various miscellaneous texts for blessings, exorcism, and disaster aversion. The Mo Jing also covers aspects of Buyi society, including politics, economy, cultural life, and moral etiquette.

Moya is formed through spirit possession during specific occasions, guided by a Bumo through a ritual known as “Damingna” (打迷纳).

Religious Influence

After the Ming (明) and Qing (清) Dynasties, Buddhism (佛教), Taoism (道教), and Catholicism (天主教) gradually entered the Buyi region, with a small number of followers. From the content of the Mo Jing and the religious implements used by Bumo during rituals, one can observe the influence of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism on Buyi culture. During the Ming and Qing periods, Catholicism was introduced to the Buyi areas, where diocesan offices and consultation committees were established. However, due to the misdeeds of missionaries and the conflict between Catholicism and Buyi beliefs, Catholicism faced resistance from the Buyi people.

Architecture

The traditional architecture of the Buyi (布依族) people includes various types of housing, such as multi-story buildings, semi-story buildings, and single-story houses.

Semi-story houses typically feature a layout where the back half is a single-story building, while the front half is a multi-story structure, or the left (right) half is a single-story, and the right (left) half is multi-story. The multi-story and semi-story houses are traditional architectural styles of the Buyi people. These buildings are designed with the upper floor being higher and used for living spaces, while the lower floor is lower, used for housing livestock. This style is called “Ganlan” (干栏) or “Malan” (麻栏), with a simple structure and aesthetically pleasing form, suited to the mountainous terrain of southern China.

In the Qiannan (黔南) region, due to the abundance of stone, houses are built with stone foundations and walls, with stone slabs used for roofing, resulting in what is called “Stone Houses.” In addition, there are stone-built village walls and ancient stone fortresses on mountaintops, creating a distinctive architectural landscape. For example, the Bian Dan Mountain Stone Village (扁担山石头寨), with over 230 households, has all its houses arranged along the contour lines, constructed entirely from stone.

The layout of villages and their alignment with rice fields, rivers, and stone bridges that lead to different areas complement each other beautifully.

Food

The Buyi people primarily consume rice, along with other grains such as corn, wheat, red millet, and buckwheat.

The Buyi people are particularly fond of glutinous rice, and there are many ways to prepare it, including making sticky rice cakes (糍粑), round sugar cakes (圆糖粑), ear-shaped cakes (耳块粑), pillow-shaped zongzi (枕头粽), and triangular zongzi (三角粽). During holidays and festivals, glutinous rice is a must-have, and glutinous rice cakes are often given to friends and family as gifts. Additionally, during festive periods, glutinous rice dishes are often dyed with flower juices or tree sap.

Side dishes include a variety of vegetables, beans, and meats. Famous vegetable products include Du Mountain Salted Vegetable (独山盐酸) and Spicy Pickled Chili (酸辣椒). Meat products include smoked and cured bacon (熏腊肉) and sausages (香肠); dog meat is a popular delicacy in various localities, with regional variations such as Hua Jiang Dog Meat (花江狗肉), Du Yun Yellow Braised Dog Meat (都匀黄焖狗肉), and Ce Heng Dog Meat Feast (册亨狗肉全席). Bean products include fermented bean paste (豆豉), tofu (豆腐), and blood tofu (血豆腐).

Chili peppers, pickled vegetables, and sour soup are indispensable in the daily life of the Buyi people.

The Buyi people are skilled in brewing glutinous rice wine and rice-based spirits (米酒), along with corn-based spirits (玉米烧酒). Some regions also produce unique varieties such as glutinous rice distilled wine, tobacco-flavored rice wine, and sugarcane wine. Some glutinous rice wines are brewed with wild thornberry (刺藜) fruit, making them nutritious and used to entertain guests. The brewing technique for thornberry wine has a history of several hundred years.

Clothing

The traditional clothing of the Buyi people is predominantly in shades of blue, green, and white.

Before the 1970s, men wore headscarves, short jackets with button closures, or long gowns with wide collars, and long pants. Older men typically wore long gowns. After the 1970s, men’s clothing became more similar to Han Chinese attire.

The clothing of women varies widely, with the traditional attire of the Buyi women in regions such as Zhenning, Guangling, Puding, and Liupanshui still retaining ancient styles. These include long-sleeved short jackets with geometric patterns on the collar, shoulders, sleeves, and hems, which are made with woven brocade (织锦) and wax dyeing (蜡染). They wear pleated long skirts made from white and blue wax-dyed fabrics, adorned with various silver jewelry. In the counties of Luodian and other parts of Qiannan and Qiannan West Prefectures, women wear wide-collared jackets with long pants, and the collars, cuffs, and hems are often embellished with blue dye and wax-dye patterns.

Buyi women pay great attention to headwear. Unmarried women style their hair in braids and wear embroidered headscarves, while married women change to a specific headwear made from bamboo shoot shells, known as “Gengkao” (更考), symbolizing their married status. In areas like Zhenning and Guangling, unmarried girls like to style their hair in high buns resembling arch bridges, inserting silver hairpins (银簪) about a foot long. This is paired with embroidered cloth shoes and long skirts, creating an elegant and graceful appearance. In other regions, women wear short jackets and long pants or add wax-dyed or embroidered flower edges to their clothing. In places like Anlong and Xingren, women prefer simple white headscarves and embroidered waistbands, showcasing an elegant and understated look.

Silver, jade bangles, hairpins, rings, and necklaces are popular among Buyi women, with distinctive and unique designs.

Family

The Buyi people follow a patrilineal family structure, where the head of the household holds authority over the family’s finances and can command family members. Male elders are highly respected, with those of upright character gaining greater prestige. In cases of internal family disputes, these are resolved within the family, without the need to seek governmental intervention. Women hold a lower status than men, though widows can inherit property; however, if they remarry, they lose this right. In some areas, there is a marriage system known as “brother inheritance” (兄终弟及), where a brother marries in place of his deceased sibling.

The typical family structure is a nuclear family, though some families live as multi-generational households, with three to four generations living together. Typically, as sons grow up and marry, they move out and live separately. When a family divides its assets, “elderly support land” (养老田) for the parents and “daughter’s land” (姑娘田) for unmarried daughters are retained, while the remaining land and property are divided equally among the sons. In cases where there is no male heir, the property is inherited by relatives. After the division, parents often live with the youngest son. In some regions, there is no designated “elderly support land”, and sons take turns caring for their parents while jointly taking responsibility for funeral expenses.

Literature

A wealth of oral literature is passed down through the generations in the form of myths, stories, fairy tales, fables, proverbs, poetry, and other forms of folk literature. These reflect the ancient history of the Buyi people, praising their hardworking and brave nature, while exposing the darkness and cruelty of old society and envisioning the happiness and brightness of the new society. The subjects are varied, the imagery is beautiful, the content is healthy, and the language is vivid and imaginative. Some popular mythological tales include “The Great Flood” (洪水潮天), “The Twelve Suns” (十二个太阳), “Sai Hu Ximei Creates Smoke” (赛胡细妹造人烟), “Bu Ding Shoots the Sun” (卜丁射太阳), and “The Legend of Huangguoshu Waterfall” (黄果树瀑布的传说).

The Buyi people’s folk songs are rich in ethnic features, including narrative songs, ancient songs, work songs, customary songs, love songs, sad songs, wedding lament songs, children’s songs, and new folk songs. These songs are sung either in Buyi language (布依语) or Mandarin (汉语), with variations in structure and phrasing. Buyi language songs come in three types: five-word (五言), seven-word (七言), and mixed sentences (杂言). The songs are also divided into single-section (单段), double-section (双段), and long-verse (长篇) formats. Single-section songs are also called “scattered flower tunes” (散花调), which stand alone as individual songs, while double-section songs are split into two parts and called “double tunes” (双调). Long-verse songs consist of several sections, sometimes long without divisions.

The melodies are categorized as “Major tunes” (大调) and “Minor tunes” (小调). Major tunes are used for solemn occasions such as weddings and funerals, with grand and uplifting tones, while Minor tunes are sung during moonlit nights or for love songs, with gentle, melodic, and lively sounds. These songs are performed as solos, duets, choruses, or group sings. Whether it is housebuilding, welcoming a bride, mourning the death of elders, or sending off guests, there are specific songs for every occasion, and sometimes they are sung non-stop for days, often in a competitive manner. The talented singers can compose beautiful, evocative lyrics inspired by the surrounding nature, flowers, and birds.

Since the 1950s, the People’s Government has supported the development of Buyi writers, who have created a significant body of written literature. Notable works include the novels “Dawn at the Great Ancient Mountain” (大古山的黎明), “The Mystery of the Assassinated General” (将军被刺之谜), short stories like “Mountain Eagle Flying Over the Valley” (山鹰飞过河谷), “The Affairs of Sons and Daughters” (儿女们的事情), and poetry collections such as “Songs of Panjiang” (盘江放歌) and “Leaves in the Shadows” (叶影集).

Language

The Buyi (布依族) language belongs to the Tibeto-Burman branch of the Sino-Tibetan language family, closely related to the Zhuang (壮族) language.

The northern dialect of Zhuang and the Buyi language spoken in regions such as Wangmo (望谟), Ce Heng (册亨), Du Shan (独山), Ping Tang (平塘), Anlong (安龙), and Xing Yi (兴义) in Guizhou (贵州) are very similar. Due to prolonged cultural interaction and exchange between the Buyi people and the Han (汉) Chinese, many Chinese loanwords have entered the Buyi language.

The Buyi language has a complete phonetic system, a rich vocabulary, and expressive grammatical structures. The language is divided into three main dialect areas: Qiannan (黔南), Qianzhong (黔中), and Qianxi (黔西), also known as the first, second, and third dialect areas, respectively.

Historically, the Buyi people did not have their own written script. They typically used Chinese characters for writing. In the Buyi sacred text, the Buyi Mo Scriptures (布依摩经), characters are sometimes used phonetically or created using the “Six Scripts” of Chinese characters to record the scriptures. In 1956, the central government of China organized experts to create a Buyi pinyin alphabet based on Latin letters. This system has undergone two revisions and is now widely promoted in Buyi areas.

Arts

Music

The Buyi people use a variety of traditional musical instruments, including the suona (唢呐), moon lute (月琴), gourd zither (葫芦琴), bamboo zither (竹琴), balale (巴勒), dongxiao (洞箫), short xiao (短箫), sisters’ xiao (姊妹箫), bronze drums (铜鼓), and ox bone hu (牛骨胡). Among these, the bronze drum is the most ancient and ethnically distinctive instrument. Made entirely from bronze, it features intricate patterns cast on its surface.

Before 1950, nearly every village had a bronze drum, and it was played during grand festivals and celebrations. For funerals and sacrificial rites, only the Mo Gong (摩公) (religious leaders) were allowed to play the bronze drum according to strict rituals.

Dance

The Buyi people have a variety of traditional dances, including the Weaving Dance (织布舞), Grain Bag Dance (糠包舞), Lion Dance (狮子舞), Dragon Dance (龙舞), Transition Dance (转场舞), Gong and Cymbal Dance (铙钹舞), Flower Skirt Dance (花裙舞), Bronze Drum Dance (铜鼓舞), and Bronze Drum Brushing Dance (铜鼓刷把舞). These dances are graceful and expressive, blending the Buyi people’s agricultural life and customs into artistic performance.

Opera

Buyi opera is popular in areas such as Guiyang (贵阳), Changshun (长顺), and Ce Heng (册亨) counties, often performed during the Spring Festival (春节). Specialized troupes perform, with masks representing characters from the Three Kingdoms (三国) period and Buyi Mo priests (布依摩师). In regions such as Du Shan (独山), Ping Tang (平塘), and San Du (三都), a type of flower lantern opera (花灯剧) is performed, which combines local song and dance with influences from Guangxi (广西) Caidiao (彩调) music.

Buyi opera likely began in the late Ming (明) to early Qing (清) dynasty, with its performers mainly being farmers. The themes and performance styles are deeply rooted in the rural, folk atmosphere of the region. Most of the stories are drawn from Buyi folklore and legends, such as “The Sixth of June” (六月六), “King Mountain Hunts Birds” (王山打鸟), “Four Marriages” (四接亲), and “Golden Cat and the Magic Gourd” (金猫宝瓢). There are also performances based on Han Chinese themes like “Yutang Chun” (玉堂春) and “Liuyin Ji” (柳荫记).

In 1956, Buyi opera performances such as “Four Marriages” (四接亲) and “Yutang Chun” (玉堂春) received positive feedback at the First Industrial and Agricultural Art Exhibition in Guizhou (贵州). In 1984, “Luo Xian Xing” (罗细杏) and “Golden Bamboo Love” (金竹情) participated in the Guizhou Minority Opera Research exhibition, and “Luo Xian Xing” was even selected for the National Minority Opera performance and awarded the Peacock Award (孔雀奖).

Craftsmanship

The Buyi people are skilled in various forms of craftsmanship, such as wax dyeing (蜡染), embroidery (刺绣), brocade weaving (织锦), bamboo weaving (竹编), woven dyeing (织染), and ceramics (陶瓷) and carving (雕刻).

Wax Dyeing

Wax dyeing is one of the treasures of Chinese cultural arts. Traditional techniques include indigo dyeing, wax dyeing, maple dyeing, and tie-dyeing, with wax dyeing being the most famous. The process involves using a copper wax knife to draw spiral patterns, wavy lines, diamonds, and symmetrical geometric patterns on white cloth, which is then dyed with indigo and herbal solutions. After the wax is removed, the finished product reveals natural ice-crack patterns, which are elegant and varied in style.

Before 1980, there were many wax dyeing workshops in Buyi areas. In 1953, to preserve the tradition of minority crafts, the local government established a wax dyeing factory in Anshun (安顺). Building upon traditional patterns, de-waxing, and washing techniques, new innovations were introduced to further develop this art form. It has since become a sought-after craft, both domestically and internationally.

Brocade Weaving

Brocade weaving, also known as “Na Jin” (纳锦) in Buyi, features designs such as “Lamb’s Wool Brocade” (羊羔锦), “Fish Brocade” (鱼儿锦), “Human Figure Brocade” (人物锦), and “Butterfly Brocade” (蝴蝶锦). The intricate patterns are usually geometric shapes like diamonds, squares, and triangles, with various silk threads enhancing the design. While it resembles silk embroidery, it is woven on traditional looms, and the back of the brocade faces the weaver. To check the pattern, mirrors are used from underneath.

In 1984, Buyi brocade was awarded as an excellent product at the National Tourism Product Evaluation Conference. In 1985, it received the “First Prize for Outstanding Creation” at the 5th National Arts and Crafts Exhibition, earning the “Hope Cup” (希望杯).

Traditional Textiles

Known for its “earth wool” (土呢子), Buyi textiles are of high quality and come in a variety of patterns. These fabrics are used to make clothing, bed linens, blankets, tablecloths, and other household items. The tradition of self-spinning and self-weaving continues in rural areas. In 1985, the Chongqing Museum (重庆博物馆) collected over 35 types of earth floral fabrics from a village in Zhenning (镇宁). In Libo (荔波), earth floral fabric production is a major industry, with an annual output of over 200 varieties, worth more than 2.5 million yuan.

In addition, Libo’s (荔波) cool mats, Du Shan’s (独山) conical hats, and Ping Tang’s (平塘) Yazhou pottery are also famous. The embroidery, paper-cutting, silver and copper jewelry, and maple-print wax painting of the Buyi women are all exquisite. Particularly, the ceramic work from Ping Tang (平塘) is historically significant and finely crafted. These ceramics have been presented as gifts by the Guizhou Provincial Government to foreign dignitaries such as the Prime Minister of New Zealand.

Customs

Festivals

The Buyi (布依族) people celebrate many traditional festivals, some of which are similar to those of the Han (汉) Chinese, such as the Spring Festival (大年), Dragon Boat Festival (端午节), and Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋节). However, they also have unique festivals like March 3rd, April 8th, and June 6th.

Spring Festival: Traditionally, the Buyi New Year is celebrated in November, with areas like Ping Tang (平塘) and Li Bo (荔波) still observing the small New Year on November 30th. During this time, families prepare food, make rice cakes, and brew alcohol. On the eve of the New Year, offerings are made to ancestors, and fireworks are lit to usher in the New Year. On January 1st, there are customs like young girls competing to fetch the first bucket of water (known as “Clever Water”) and boys placing small stones in animal pens to ensure prosperity for livestock.

March 3rd: This festival is dedicated to the Mountain God or a ritual to drive away evil spirits and pray for a good harvest. In villages near Guiyang (贵阳), a singing contest called “Fairy Song Festival” (仙歌节) or “Earthworm Festival” (地蚕会) is held to protect crops from pests.

April 8th: This is the Cow King’s Day (牛王节), also known as Pastoral Boy’s Day or Rice Planting Day. Families eat special rice cakes and sticky rice, and offer food to their cattle, allowing them to rest for the day.

June 6th: A significant festival to honor the Land God, Mountain God, and Field God. Families use chicken blood to mark paper flags, which are then inserted into fields. In some areas, large mountain climbing activities are held to celebrate the occasion.

Eating New Festival (吃新节), also known as Tasting New Festival, celebrates the harvest of new rice. During the festival, men pick a small amount of rice from the field, steam it with sticky rice, and offer it to ancestors.

Qingming Festival: The Buyi people adapt this festival to also honor their ancestors, but with unique customs like hanging paper (known as “hanging green”), particularly in areas such as Wangmo (望谟) and Sanglang (桑郎), where tomb sweeping occurs on March 3rd instead of Qingming.

Marriage Customs

The Buyi marriage customs have evolved over time. Historically, marriages were arranged by the couple, but after the Ming Dynasty, influenced by Confucianism and Han culture, marriage practices shifted toward parental arrangements. This led to early marriages, with engagements often made in childhood and marriages taking place in the teenage years.

Marriage rituals consist of three stages: “Opening the Mouth” (开口亲), engagement (订亲), and wedding (结婚). The first stage involves the matchmaker visiting the bride’s family with gifts, where the groom’s family is introduced. If the bride’s family accepts the proposal, a formal engagement feast (开口饭) follows, often referred to as “eating chicken” (吃鸡) or “eating chicken legs” (吃鸡腿).

After engagement, the groom’s family sends presents, including alcohol, a rooster, and pork, to the bride’s family. The wedding ceremony involves the bride visiting her in-laws and participating in the “first water fetching” tradition, which mirrors the Han Chinese practice of “entering the kitchen.”

During the wedding, young people gather to sing, with some areas holding singing contests that last several days.

Funeral Customs

Before the Qing Dynasty, Buyi funerals involved cremation and no tombstones. After the mid-Qing Dynasty, burial practices became more common, with family members reporting the death to the maternal side of the family. A Buyi priest (布摩) selects an auspicious day for the funeral.

Funeral rituals vary depending on the family’s wealth. Wealthy families may hold elaborate ceremonies, including the “Ancient Night King Ceremony” (古夜王), where sacrifices of cattle are made and a banquet is hosted. Burial practices include various types of graves, such as earth pit graves, stone coffin graves, and cave burials.

Taboos

On New Year’s Day, there are several prohibitions: no opening of boxes or cabinets, no sweeping, no combing hair, and no washing clothes. It’s also forbidden to work the land or cut vegetables with knives on January 15th.

In certain areas, it’s taboo for married women to give birth in their parental home, and new mothers must hang red cloth at their door to prevent male visitors.

Respecting ancestors: Guests must not touch the family altar or the offerings on it. It is also forbidden to step on the tripod by the fire pit.

Dog and Fish Taboos: In some Buyi communities, dog meat is avoided due to legends about dogs aiding their ancestors. Similarly, fish is not eaten in some branches of the Buyi as they believe their first mother was a daughter of the Dragon King, symbolized by a sacred fish.

Other Traditions

The Buyi people also have a unique way of choosing godparents for weak children. This is done by waiting for the first visitor to the home on a chosen day or by meeting the first passerby when the child is taken out for the ritual.

In Buyi villages, gifts are always given in even numbers, and it is customary to bring alcohol when visiting. When visiting sacred trees or other cultural sites, it is forbidden to touch or cut them.

The Buyi people have a rich cultural heritage, with their festivals, marriage customs, and taboos offering deep insights into their traditional way of life.