Yi people

The Yi are a group of related ethnic communities native mainly to southwestern China. They include distinct language communities and regional traditions, with Nuosu as the largest branch.

Nuosu language: A Loloish language spoken by the Nuosu, the largest Yi subgroup, chiefly in Sichuan and Yunnan. It is the largest branch’s language and has a standardized writing system.
Bimoism: A religious tradition among Yi communities centered on ritual specialists called bimo and ancestral practices. Bimo specialists conduct ceremonies and transmit ritual knowledge in many Yi communities.
Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture: A prefecture in Sichuan Province with a large Yi population and the largest concentration of Nuosu speakers. Liangshan is a major center of Nuosu language and cultural life.
Yi-language education: Educational programs that teach or use Yi languages, often alongside Mandarin, in schools and community settings. Instruction in Yi languages affects their transmission to younger generations.
Loloish languages: A branch of the Ngwi languages spoken across parts of China and mainland Southeast Asia. Yi languages belong to this wider linguistic branch.
Torch Festival: A summer festival celebrated by Yi and other ethnic groups in southwestern China, marked by torches and communal events. It is one of the best-known public celebrations associated with Yi communities.
Ancient Qiang: A broad historical label used in Chinese sources for peoples of western and southwestern China in antiquity. Some accounts connect Yi origins with ancient Qiang populations, though these links are debated.
Yi New Year: A traditional New Year celebration observed by many Yi communities, with dates and customs varying by region. Its continued observance connects seasonal customs with community life.
Yi script: A syllabic writing system used for several Yi languages, with a modern standardized form based on Nuosu. Its standardized form supports literacy in the Nuosu language.
Yi embroidery: A textile tradition in Yi communities involving embroidered garments and decorative motifs that vary by region. Regional embroidery makes cultural variation visible in clothing.

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