The Sui are descended from the ancient Baiyue peoples, who had inhabited southern China before the Han dynasty (Wei 2003:viii).

Today, 93% of all Sui people (322,000 individuals) reside in Guizhou, China, with 63%[2] of them living in Sandu Shui Autonomous County.

There are three main types of traditional Sui housing (Wei 2003:ix): If a woman is widowed, she covers her hair with a fabric of white color for three years.

Their funeral services are elaborate and long ceremonies where animal sacrifices are carried out in honor of the dead.

Except for fish, Sui villagers usually refrain from eating meat after the death of a person (Wei 2003:xvi).

Supplementary grains and tubers include corn, wheat, barley, millet, and sweet potatoes.

Rice spirits are popular among the Sui, and are also consumed during marriages, funerals, festivals, and building raising events.