Achang Ethnic Minority: Playing Green Dragon and White Elephant

The Achang people primarily adhere to Hinayana, a branch of Buddhism, and celebrate numerous festivals, most of which are connected to their Buddhist traditions. Some notable festivals include the Water-splashing Festival, New Year (Spring Festival), Jinwa (Buddha entering a temple), Chuwa (Buddha exiting the temple), Torch Festival, Change Yellow Clothes, Watering Flowers Festival, and Huijie Festival (Fair Street Festival).

Huijie Festival

The Huijie Festival is a traditional celebration held in the Husa and Lasa areas. Historically, it took place in mid-September according to the Chinese Lunar calendar and lasted about fifteen days. However, it has since been moved to the three days surrounding National Day. One of the festival’s most exciting and significant events is the performance featuring the green dragon and white elephant, which are symbols of good luck and happiness for the Achang people.

Festival Activities:

Before the Huijie Festival, the green dragon and white elephant are crafted. At dawn, young men don Husa long swords and beat elephant-foot drums, while young women dress in beautiful traditional attire. The green dragon and white elephant then make their grand entrance, accompanied by drumbeats and various musical instruments.

When they arrive at the celebration square, the elder presiding over the festival declares the beginning of the Huijie Festival. Instantly, drums, Mang Luos (gongs), and Bos (percussion instruments) erupt into joyous music. The green dragon and white elephant begin to dance: the dragon shakes its head and tail or opens its mouth in a cheerful manner, while the white elephant swings its long snout, walks in different directions, kneels, or stands on its hind legs. Their amusing movements elicit laughter and cheers from the audience.

As the dragon and elephant perform, young men and women join in, dancing around them. Their movements create a vibrant and lively atmosphere, transforming the festival square into a sea of joy and celebration.

Construction of the Dragon and Elephant

You may wonder how the green dragon and white elephant are capable of such varied movements. They are constructed with a wooden frame, covered in paper, and adorned with cloth for the dragon’s head and tail and the elephant’s snout. Inside, there are performers who operate the dragon and elephant. Some individuals carry the structures, while others manipulate the dragon’s head and tail and the elephant’s snout, enabling the green dragon to raise its head, open or close its mouth, and swing its tail, while the white elephant can swing its snout in delight.