About Guizhou
Guizhou is home to diverse ethnic communities whose languages, festivals, crafts, and architecture contribute to the province’s cultural heritage. This journey introduces you to village life and local traditions through visits with community members and opportunities to learn about their customs.
Buyi Ethnic Minority Group
The Buyi or Bouyei ethnic minority group is the second-largest minority group in Guizhou Province. Buyi people are very frank and friendly. They hold the elderly in very high respect. Buyi villages are always located near rivers, and the communities are relatively small. Usually, a town will only house a couple of dozen families, but some villages have been known to hold several hundred households. Their houses are made of stone. The Buyi people are primarily farmers and are proficient at growing foods as well as animal husbandry.
Miao Ethnic Minority Group
The Miao are one of Guizhou’s major ethnic communities, with a rich heritage of languages, music, dance, and regional customs. Many families work in farming and animal husbandry. Community cooperation during harvests and building projects reflects strong local ties, while songs and oral traditions preserve stories and cultural knowledge.
Yi Ethnic Minority Group
The majority of the Yi ethnic minority group scatter in mountainous areas. More than half a million Yi people are living in Guizhou. The Yi minority group used to have its own written script, which was formed in the 13th century. Many written works and stone tablets were written in the ancient Yi script that still exists. The Yi minority group has many unique customs. Traditionally cooking utensils were made of wood or leather and were usually painted in black, red, and yellow. Their wine cups are hollowed out of horns or hoofs. The clothing of the Yi group has a large variety depending on where they are. In Guizhou men wear black jackets with tight sleeves and pleated pants. Women wear jackets and pleated skirts. The jackets and skirts have embroidery and lace accents. Men and women, when going out, wear a dark cape made of wool with long tassels hanging from the hem.
Dong Ethnic Minority Group
Dong communities are known for wooden village architecture, drum towers, weaving, and embroidery. Farming remains an important part of local life. Village visits offer opportunities to learn about these traditions and the people who maintain them.
Their buildings have foundations of stone with wooden upper-structures topped off with grey roof tiles. They blend beautifully into the surrounding landscape. The two best known types of structures that the Dong people build are the Wind and Rain Bridges, and Drum Towers. The Wind and Rain bridges can be found in most Dong villages. The bases of the bridges are constructed of stone and the upper part is built entirely of wood with clay tile roofs. The bridges were built without any kind of metal fasteners whatsoever. The individual parts of the bridges are connected by mortise and tennon joinery. The Dong Drum Towers are usually the first thing visitors notice when approaching a Dong minority village. They are the tallest structures in the village and are multi functional. It is a place to meet and chat, hold official village meetings, and warn the village of danger.
The drum towers are constructed of wood and from the outside appear to have multiple stories. Inside the tower however is entirely open and has a large drum placed in the center. Because of the design, when the drum is beaten, the sound can be heard for miles.