Python bitwise operators are special symbols that allow you to perform operations directly on the binary representations of integers. These operators manipulate individual bits, providing a powerful way to control data at a low level. The primary bitwise operators in Python include AND (&), OR (|), XOR (^), NOT (~), left shift (<<), and right shift (>>). Each operator serves a unique purpose, such as combining bits, toggling values, or shifting bits to the left or right. Understanding these operators is essential for tasks like encryption, data compression, and efficient algorithm implementation in programming.