Ancient Pumi were nomadic, living as herdsmen on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau. By the seventh century AD, they were found in Sichuan and by the fourteenth century, in northwestern Yunnan. Pumi land is above sea level. Most of their cultivated land is in the mountains with some in the narrow valleys. Agriculture occupies a major position within their economy with many Pumi working as farmers.
Corn is their principal grain along with buckwheat and highland barley.
Water mills are used for grinding to make flour. Villages located in river valleys produce a small amount of rice. Potatoes, cabbage, carrots, eggplant, fruits, tobacco, tea and wine are also produced. Many medicinal herbs and 100 varieties of edible fungi are grown. Horses, cattle, mules, sheep, pigs, chickens and bees are raised.