土司制度是我國元明清時期維護多民族國家統一的有效行政管理制度，該制度實行區域主要是在我國西南及其毗鄰地帶。有明一代，朝廷依法，對那些建立軍功、勤于納貢的土司授予流官待遇，甚至委任土司直接出任流官，此舉不僅鞏固了明廷與土司的關系，對于祖國統一、邊疆穩定亦做出了積極貢獻。

Mainly established in the southwest of China and its surrounding areas,the Tusi system was an effective administrative system in terms of maintenance the unity of a multi-national state in Yuan,Ming and Qing dynasties. In Ming dynasty,the imperial court bestowed the minority chieftains who were awarded military glory or diligent in rendering tribute the same treatment as the Han officials. It even appointed minority chieftain as officials in other places. Not only did the act consolidate the relationship between the imperial court and Tusi,but it also made positive contribution to unity of the motherland and the stability of frontier areas.