Guizhou is a multi-ethnic province, belonging to the Sino-Tibetan language family and the Altaic language family. It is subdivided into the Hmong–Mien language family, Tai-Kadai language family, etc., with rich genetic diversity. With the process of historical development, changes in the natural environment, and changes in economic conditions, the traditional way of life is constantly changing, but the history of evolution and migration among ethnic groups of various language families has not been fully elaborated. In addition, due to the geographical environment and inconvenient transportation in Guizhou in the past, many ethnic groups lived in villages, tribes, etc. Therefore, the unique and representative characteristics and genetic information of the nation are retained. Under long-term evolution and natural selection, unique genes and phenotypes have been retained.
However, due to the lack of existing genetic resources and related research, and the existing population research results are not fully applicable, we do not fully understand the genetic (genetic) diversity of Guizhou Province, which will not be conducive to the promotion and implementation of precision medicine. This database is based on the whole genome sequencing data of 476 natural population samples of 11 ethnic minorities of different language families in Guizhou Province: Bouyei, Dong, Hmong, Yao, Yi, Bai, Gelao, Zhuang, Tujia, Hui, and Sui, to build a population frequency database of indigenous peoples of different language families in Guizhou Province, and enrich the genetic resources of Guizhou Province.
The Bouyei people originated from the ancient Baiyue tribes, and share close cultural origins with the Zhuang. There are nearly 2.8 million Bouyei people living in Guizhou today. The Bouyei language belongs to the Zhuang-Dai group of the Zhuang-Dong branch of the Sino-Tibetan language family. The Bouyei people mainly live in Qiannan and Qianxinan autonomous prefectures, as well as Guiyang, Anshun, Liupanshui, and Bijie. The Bouyei traditional belief system is based on nature worship and ancestor worship. Rice farming and dry farming form the basis of the Bouyei is economy, along with production forestry, particularly the world-renown Liuma tung oil. Most traditional Bouyei houses are wooden and built on stilts, while the Bouyei of the Beipanjiang River Basin area use local stone to build stone houses.
The Dong people originated from the ancient Baiyue tribes, and are a branch of Xi’ou people from the Qing and Han dynasties. There are over 1.6 million Dong people living in Guizou today. There are also Dong populations in Guangxi and Hunan provinces. They were called “Geling” during the Song Dynasty. The Dong language belongs to Dong-Sui branch of Zhuang-Dong Language of Sino-Tibetan Language Family. By mimicking ecological systems, the Dong achieved a highly agriculture system based on integrated rice-fish-duck farming and agroforestry. The Dong tend to live near mountains and rivers among a harmonious patchwork of forests, farmland, and villages, forming a uniquely integrated human-nature landscape.
There are nearly 4.3 million Hmong (Miao) living in Guizhou Province, making up approximately half of China's Hmong population. Hmong populations also reside in other areas such as Hunan, Yunnan, Guangxi, Hainan and Hubei. The Hmong language belongs to the Hmong group of the Hmong-Mien branch of the Sino-Tibetan language family. The Hmong people live on dry farming(non-irrigation agriculture) and rice agriculture，as well as fishing, hunting, and shift farming. Hmong religious beliefs are based on a combination of nature worship and ancestor worship, Hmong attire comes in a variety of styles, and are characterized by exquisite handiwork and patterns and motifs reflecting the Hmong’s close relationship with nature. Their costumes have delicate patterns and exaggerated composition, and are highly narrative and expressive in function The Hmong observe many traditional festivals, among which Hmong New Year, April 8th (in the lunar calendar), the Dragon Boat Festival, the Guzang Festival, and the Tiaohua Festival are spectacular and widely celebrated.
The Mien (Yao) people are archetypal mountain people，relying on dryland shift farming as their main livelihood. They also practice an indigenous polytheistic religion. There are approximately 44,000 Mien living in Guizhou today. The Mien language belongs to Mien group of the Hmong-Mien branch of the Sino-Tibetan Language family.
The Yi people evolved from the integration of the ancient Qiang people with indigenous tribes of the Southwest over an extended period of time. Yi are distributed across Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan and Guangxi provinces. There are approximately 844,00 Yi living in Guizhou today. Their economy is mainly supported by agriculture and animal husbandry. The practice sustainable and eco-friendly agriculture by regularly rotating between cropland and pasture land. The Yi are credited for introducing the Wumeng horse and Shuixi horse to Southwest China, which was indispensable to the region development.
The Bai ethnic group is mostly distributed in Yunnan province, also in the west of Guizhou province. It calls itself “Baihuo”,“Baini” “Baizi” and so on. The Bai’s own language belongs to Yi Branch of Tibeto-Burman Language of Sino-Tibetan Language Family. The Bai people live on agriculture and animal husbandry. They believe in Mahayana.
The Gelao people originated from the ancient Baipu people, and are believed to be Guizhou’s earliest settles. There are approximately 559,000 Gelao living in Guizhou today. The practice polytheism and ancestor worship. The Gelao’s belief in animism and immortality of the soul is central to their culture. The Gelao language belongs to the Sino-Tibetan language family. However, there is great regional variation in the Gelao language. Agriculture and handicraft making are their main livelihoods. The Gelao are famed for their iron smelting and iron forging skills, so the name of “Iron-forging Gelao” can be found in old books such as The Illustrated Accounts of the Miao People in Guizhou.
The Zhuang people are indigenous to the Guangdong/Guangxi region, and originate from the Xi’ou and Luoyue branches al he ancient Baiyue tribes They were referred to as Zhuang(alternate character) in the Southern Song Dynasty，There are approximately 5200 Zhuang living in Guizhou today. Zhuang language belongs to the Zhuang group of the Zhuang-Dong branch of the Sino-Tibetan language family, The Zhuang people in Guizhou are primarily located the northern Jiuwan Mountains along the border of Guangxi. They primarily practice terrace faming They believe in animism. Because of the influence of neighboring ethnic minorities, Zhuang attire is very similar to that of Dong and other surrounding ethnic minorities. Zhuang villages tend to be based near mountains and rivers. They live in stilted wood houses that resemble the styles of other ethnic groups around them.
The Tujia people are mainly distributed around the junction of Hunan, Hubei, Chongqing, and Guizhou provinces(cities). The Tujia language belongs to the Tibeto-Burman group of the Sino-Tibetan language family. There are over 1.4 million Tujia living in Guizhou today. Most Tujia villages are built near mountains, with fruit trees, flowers, and herbs in the front and back yards of their homes, making for a very comfortable living environment. Those living in the same natural village share the same surname and clan, so the natural village is regarded as a clan and a resource-sharing economic unit. The Tujia people have a rich farming and animal husbandry tradition, and take advantage of complex natural resources, among which the exploitation of mercury ore and cinnabar have a long history, as well as nationally-renowned products such as tung oil, Chinese ash tree, and raw lacquer.
The Mongol and Hui people gathered a military expedition to Dal, Yunnan Province in the First Year of the Baoyou Period in Song Dynasty (1253). They garrisoned in Yunnan Province (including Weining County in present-day Guizhou) This may have been the beginning of the Hui entry into Guizhou. There are nearly 170.000 Hu living in Guzhou today, primarily concentrated in the western part of the province in Weining Yi, Hui, and Miao Autonomous County Pu’an county and Xingren County. The Hui practice lslam. Mosques are at the center of Hui religious life. They speak Mandarin in daily life. and use Arabic for religious activities They observe traditional festival in accordance with the provisions of islam, including Lesser Bairam, Corban Festival, and Mawlid. Their economy is mainly based around business and trade, as well as agriculture and animal husbandry. The Hui in Guizhou are known for their professional business and trade skills.
The Sui ethnic group originating from the ancient Luoyue people is mainly distributed in the south of Miaoling Mountains of the southeastern Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, Duliujiang River, and upper reaches of Longjiang River. These areas featured with dense forests and poetic landscape are good for agriculture and forestry, so they are the home of fish, rice, flowers and fruits in Guizhou plateau. The Sui language belongs to Dong-Sui branch of Zhuang-Dong Language of Sino-Tibetan Language Family. Its own written language is called “Sui Writing” which is limited to religious activities.