The Bouyei people have a common ancestry with the Zhuang people. Bouyei who live in cities and towns are often considered Chinese. However, those who live in rural villages are more distinctive. The staple foods of the Bouyei are rice and wheat. The Bouyei also raise vegetables and some fruits, and occasionally eat pork, fish or chicken. Their food is tart and spicy. They also drink quantities of home-brewed rice wine.

Young Bouyei people are given much freedom in the choice of marriage partners. Often the courtship is initiated by the young woman. She tosses an embroidered silk ball to the man of her choice. If he agrees, they go for a walk in the mountains. In other areas, the young people line up on opposite sides of the town square. The young man will send a family member (usually his sister) to the chosen young woman offering her a block of dye. He includes a message that he is eager to see the beautiful cloth she will dye with his gift. If she is agreeable, the young woman will simply smile and accept the gift. The young people then talk and arrange "dates" after which they announce their engagement. A Bouyei courtship is very public. At weddings, old women are invited to sing songs of blessing by firesides. They can can continue singing day and night for up to a week without repeating the words of their ballads.