Ethnic Distinctions and Ethnic Transformation

This paper uses Yi and Chinese language materials as well as field investigation among the Yi of northwestern Guizhou province to analyze the ethnic terminology used by the Yi of the region, accounts of people changing from Yi to Han ethnicity and vice versa, and expressions of ethnic consciousness in local Yi language documents. The paper demonstrates that the Yi of northwestern Guizhou had dynamic and highly flexible notions of ethnic boundaries. It explores the changes to these notions after the Qing government abolished the native chieftain (tusi) system and replaced it with regular bureaucratic appointment in 1664.