Nuosu

Nuosu, also spelled Nosu, is the autonym of a major subgroup of the Yi people, one of China’s 56 officially recognized ethnic groups. The Nuosu are concentrated in Sichuan Province, especially in the Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, with smaller communities in Yunnan, Guizhou and Guangxi. They form the largest Yi-speaking population and are central to Yi cultural and linguistic identity.

The Nuosu language is a Central Yi variety within the Loloish branch of the Sino-Tibetan language family. It is spoken by millions and is written with the Yi script, also known as the Nuosu syllabary. The script has historical roots in Yi culture and is used alongside Chinese in various cultural and educational contexts.

Culturally, the Nuosu maintain distinctive traditions, including the role of Bimo, a class of ritual specialists who preserve genealogies, literature and ceremonial practices. The Torch Festival is among the most prominent Yi celebrations, and traditional arts such as embroidery, weaving and music continue to be important aspects of Nuosu cultural life. Social organization, festivals, and folk songs are often tied to clan lineages and local customs.

In modern times, the Nuosu are part of China’s broader processes of modernization and ethnic policy. They are recognized as an ethnic minority and participate in bilingual education and regional governance within their autonomous areas. Economic development, migration, and cultural preservation shape contemporary Nuosu society, with ongoing efforts to maintain language and heritage amid rapid change.