Buyi

Buyi, also known as Buyei or Puyi, are a recognized ethnic minority in the People’s Republic of China. They are one of the 56 official ethnic groups and are concentrated in the southwest, with the largest populations in Guizhou Province and smaller communities in Guangxi, Yunnan, and Chongqing.

The Buyi population is estimated to be in the low millions. They speak the Buyi language, a member of the Tai-Kadai language family related to Zhuang; many Buyi are bilingual in Mandarin and other local languages.

Traditionally agrarian, Buyi communities cultivate rice and other crops. They are known for distinctive dress, weaving and embroidery, and silver ornaments worn in ceremonial attire by some groups. Cultural life includes traditional songs and dances performed at local festivals.

Religious practices combine ancestor worship with elements of Buddhism, Daoism, and local beliefs. Festivals and rites are tied to the agricultural calendar and community life.

Historically, the Buyi inhabited the Guizhou–Yunnan–Guangxi border region and developed close ties with neighboring groups such as the Zhuang and Miao, which influenced language, customs, and crafts. Today, Buyi communities participate in broader regional and national life while maintaining distinct linguistic and cultural traditions.