The Torch Festival, celebrated by the Yi ethnic minority in Yangbi County, Dali Prefecture, is a vibrant and culturally rich event that showcases the traditions, values, and communal spirit of the Yi people. Celebrated annually on the 24th day of the sixth lunar month, it holds significant cultural and agricultural significance.The Torch Festival in Yangbi County represents a crucial aspect of Yi cultural identity and community solidarity. It is a time for celebration, gratitude, and togetherness, allowing people to connect with their heritage and one another. This lively festival, filled with rituals, performances, and competitions, not only honors agricultural traditions but also serves as a vibrant expression of Yi culture and community spirit in modern times. Visitors to the festival can expect an engaging and enriching experience that offers a unique glimpse into the rich tapestry of Yi cultural heritage.
The Torch Festival has its roots in ancient agricultural practices and animistic beliefs of the Yi people. Traditionally, it was a time for farmers to celebrate a bountiful harvest, offer thanks to deities and ancestors, and pray for good fortune and protection for the coming year. The festival’s name derives from the custom of lighting torches, which symbolizes the warding off of evil spirits and misfortune. Fire was historically believed to have purifying properties, signifying light, warmth, and protection.
The festival also reflects the Yi people’s strong cultural identity and sense of community. Over the years, it has grown beyond its agricultural origins to become a lively celebration that encompasses cultural activities, competitions, and rituals, allowing the community to express its heritage and foster social bonds.
The Torch Festival in Yangbi County is characterized by a series of colorful and engaging activities, each emphasizing the rich cultural traditions of the Yi ethnic minority:
The Dage Festival, also known as the “Big Song Festival,” is a significant cultural event celebrated by the Yi ethnic minority in Yangbi County, Dali Prefecture. This festival serves as an important occasion for the Yi people to express their cultural identity, celebrate their heritage, and engage in community bonding.
The Dage Festival is believed to have its roots in ancient Yi rituals and traditions, which were initially centered around agriculture, celebrating harvests, and honoring ancestors. The word “Dage” translates to “big song,” highlighting the festival’s emphasis on music and dance. The event typically falls on the 15th day of the sixth lunar month, aligning with the agricultural calendar and seasonal changes, allowing people to celebrate their farming achievements.
The Dage Festival is marked by various vibrant and lively customs, including:
The Haidong Dragon Boat Race originated during the Tang Dynasty in the Nanzhao Kingdom and is based on the legend of the “Burning of Songming Tower.” This event gradually evolved into the dragon boat race as we know it today. Dragon boats are large wooden transport vessels, painted on both sides with colorful dragons. There are typically 100 paddlers, with one person in the center wielding a horse-tail broom, blowing a whistle, and waving tree branches to direct the race. Each boat also has one person beating a drum and another ringing a gong for encouragement, with 3 to 4 people at the helm. Additionally, there is a suona player performing the “Dragon Boat Race Melody.” The dragon boats compete in teams, usually consisting of about 8 boats per village.
The dragon boat race (also known as the “Flower Boat Race” or “Dragon Boat Race” in the Dali area) is one of the beloved sporting activities among the Bai people in Dali. The Bai people, who have lived by the shores of Erhai Lake for generations, primarily engaged in fishing and sand digging, using fishing boats as their main means of production and transportation. As their livelihoods evolved, competition in rowing gradually emerged among villagers and households. It is said that dragon boat racing appeared in the Dali and Erhai Lake area as early as the Nanzhao period. During the Republic of China era, dragon boat competitions in the Dali area were spontaneous, small in scale, and intermittent. After the establishment of the Republic of China, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council placed significant emphasis on the development of ethnic and folk sports activities, and Dali began to treat the development of ethnic sports as an essential undertaking, leading to the gradual rise of dragon boat racing.
Every year, during the Bai ethnic group’s Torch Festival (on the 25th day of the sixth lunar month), dragon boat racing activities take place in Haidong, Dali, using large boats designated for fishing and transportation, measuring over 10 meters in length and 2 to 3 meters in width. The boat’s bow features two dragons contending for treasure, symbolizing the pursuit of brightness and a bright future; the body of the boat is adorned with colorful clouds and waves, representing navigating through winds and waves and smooth sailing; while the stern displays lotus flowers, symbolizing divine protection and safety every year. Colorful flags are hung on the boat, and the mast is adorned with streamers, representing good weather and abundant harvests throughout the year. The entire race boat is decorated in red and green, and the local Bai people refer to it as the “flower boat.”
Before the race begins, a small pine or willow tree is planted in the center of the boat, with an elder supporting the branch with one hand while holding a cow tail with the other, accompanied by someone playing the suona nearby. A large gong is hung at the stern, usually struck by the helmsman. Each boat carries dozens of young paddlers, each wielding long paddles. After a cannon is fired, the race commences, and the paddlers follow the commands of the person holding the cow tail and the sound of the gong, paddling in unison. The race is won by the first boat to reach the finish line. Upon crossing the finish line, celebratory cannon fire is heard, and the elder watching from the command boat toasts the victors. Dragon boat races typically involve hundreds of participants per village, with thousands of spectators cheering from the sidelines.
The centerpiece of the festival is the dragon boat races themselves. Participants compete in large, elaborately decorated boats that often feature traditional motifs, including dragons. Each boat is manned by a crew that works in unison to paddle towards the finish line, guided by a conductor who may use seaweed or a cow-tail broom for coordination.
In addition to the races, the festival features a variety of cultural performances that showcase Bai traditions. This may include singing, dancing, and other artistic expressions that highlight the community’s rich cultural heritage.
Traditional Bai music and dance performances are integral parts of the festival. Local musicians often play folk instruments, including the suona (a traditional double-reed horn), while dancers perform in colorful costumes. Festival-goers may also be encouraged to join in traditional dances, fostering a sense of community.
Food plays a crucial role in the festival. Local delicacies are prepared and shared, including zongzi (sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves), which are particularly associated with dragon boat festivals across China. Other traditional Bai dishes may also be served, offering an opportunity for communal dining.
Before the races start, various ceremonial activities take place. This may include rituals to honor ancestors and deities, seeking blessings for a safe and successful race. These ceremonies often involve offerings and prayers to ensure good luck and protection.
The dragon boats are beautifully decorated with colorful banners, dragon motifs, and other elaborate designs before the races. Villagers take great pride in the appearance of their boats, which serves as a way to display their craftsmanship and creativity.
The Dragon Boat Race Festival is not just a competitive event; it also serves as a community gathering. Locals come together to cheer on their teams, share stories, and bond over shared cultural experiences. This community spirit is emphasized through various activities that engage different age groups and families.
In addition to the dragon boat races, there may be other games and competitions held during the festival, including traditional sports and activities that encourage participation from all community members, fostering a festive atmosphere.
The festival often concludes with a celebratory atmosphere, including fireworks or other forms of festivities that light up the night sky, marking the end of the day’s events and creating lasting memories for participants and spectators alike.
The “Rao Hai Hui” is popular among the Bai villages along the shores of Jian Lake in Jianchuan County. Every year on the 15th day of the sixth lunar month, Bai youth from the Jianchuan Basin rise early, carrying food and fragrant pouches, to stroll along the lakeside villages. They stop at temples to burn incense and kneel in reverence, making a complete circuit around Jian Lake. According to legend, this tradition is in memory of the eighteen generals who perished in battle between the Dali Kingdom and the Yuan Dynasty. After these generals died, their bodies were discarded into the lake by the Yuan soldiers. Later, the community retrieved their bodies and buried them, honoring each one as the founding deity of their respective villages by carving their effigies and establishing temples for worship. It is said that the 15th day of the sixth lunar month marks the anniversary of these generals’ deaths, and the people make the pilgrimage around the lake to pay tribute to these fallen warriors at the village shrines.
Local artisans might showcase their crafts during the festival, offering visitors a chance to purchase handmade goods and appreciate the region’s artistic heritage. This can include traditional textiles, pottery, or carvings.
Various community rituals might take place during the festival, including offerings and prayers for blessings in the upcoming year. These rituals serve to deepen the spiritual connection among participants and reinforce cultural values.
Given the natural beauty of Jianhu Lake, events that promote environmental awareness and appreciation may also be featured, encouraging participants to connect with nature and value the landscape.
During the festival, many participants wear traditional Bai clothing, showcasing intricate designs and vibrant colors. This adds to the festive atmosphere and emphasizes cultural identity.
The Red Bayberry Festival is a vibrant and flavorful celebration that highlights the importance of the red bayberry fruit, also known as waxberry or myrica rubra, in the region. This annual event showcases the cultural heritage and agricultural practices of the local people, while also promoting the economic significance of bayberry cultivation.
Red bayberry, with its sweet and tart flavor, is a popular fruit in China and is known for its rich nutritional value, including vitamins and antioxidants. Nanjian County, with its favorable climate and geographical conditions, is renowned for producing high-quality red bayberries, making the region one of the key areas in Yunnan for this fruit.
The Red Bayberry Festival is celebrated annually, typically in June, coinciding with the peak harvest season of the fruit. The festival serves multiple purposes: it is a celebration of the harvest, a promotion of local agriculture, and an opportunity for community bonding. It also attracts tourists and fruit enthusiasts who come to not only taste the fresh bayberries but also take part in various festivities.
The Red Bayberry Festival in Nanjian County features a range of engaging activities that reflect the local culture and the significance of the fruit:
The Red Bayberry Festival in Nanjian County is not just a celebration of a delicious fruit but also a vibrant showcase of local culture, agriculture, and community spirit. It attracts both locals and visitors, offering them a unique glimpse into the agricultural bounty of the region and the traditions of the people who cultivate it. The festival is a wonderful opportunity to connect with the land, savor the sweet flavors of red bayberries, and experience the warmth and hospitality of Nanjian County.
Hello everyone! My name is Johnny Li (李志奎 / Li Zhikui), and I am an English-speaking tour guide based in Dali. I am proud to be associated with both the Dali Old Town International Travel Agency and Yunnan Exploration Travel.
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The Xiaojizu Singing Festival (小鸡子唱歌节) is an important cultural event celebrated annually in Dali City, primarily among the Bai ethnic group. This festival is known for its vibrant expressions of music, dance, and local customs, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the region. Here’s an overview of the festival and its associated local customs:
Baohe Temple in Cangshan Mountain is one of the Best Tourist Attractions and Top Things to Do when travel to Dali, it introduces the main scenic spots, address, entrance tickets booking, The best time to visit, How to Get there, the highlights, facts, history, photos, visiting routes, travel tips, tour maps of Baohe Temple in Cangshan Mountain.
Chinese Name:大理苍山保和寺
English Name: Baohe Temple in Cangshan Mountain, Dali
Overview Chinese Name:大理漾濞县火把节 English Name: Torch Festival of Yi Ethnic Minority in Yangbi County, Dali Location: Yangbi County, Dali The Torch Festival, celebrated by the Yi ethnic minority in...
Overview and Origin of the Festival Chinese Name:大理漾濞县鸡街歌会/彝族打歌会 English Name: Dage Festival of Yi Ethnic Minority in Yangbi County, Dali Date: Every year on the nineteenth day of the...
Historical Background Origin: The “Wang Ren Jie” (亡人节) is a special memorial day observed by the Hui ethnic group in Dali, Yunnan Province. It is held to commemorate the...
Introduction of the Activities Chinese Name:大理海东镇赛龙船 English Name: Dragon Boat Race Festival in Dali Location: Dali, Yunnan province The Haidong Dragon Boat Race originated during the Tang Dynasty in...
Basic Introduction of the Festival Chinese Name:大理剑川县剑湖绕海会 English Name: Jianhu Lake Encircling Festival in Jianchuan County, Dali Location: Jianchuan County, Dali The “Rao Hai Hui” is popular among the Bai...
Overvew Chinese Name:大理南涧县杨梅会 English Name: Red Bayberry Festival in Nanjian County, Dali Location: Nanjian County, Dali Prefecture The Red Bayberry Festival is a vibrant and flavorful celebration that highlights...
Location and Geography Location: Luocha Pavilion is located at the foot of Lotus Peak in Cangshan Mountain, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. It is situated near Shangyangxi Village...
Festival Background Significance: The Cai Shen Festival is one of the most important traditional festivals in Dali Ancient Town, Yunnan Province. It is a day when the local Bai...
Hello everyone! My name is Johnny Li (李志奎 / Li Zhikui), and I am an English-speaking tour guide based in Dali. I am proud to be associated with both...
Overview of the Festival Chinese Name:大理苍山小鸡足歌会/三月三朝山会 English Name: Xiaojizu Singing Festival in Dali City Location:大理市湾桥镇南面的保和寺/Baohesi Temple to the south of Waqiao Town in Dali City Significance: The festival serves...
Baohe Temple in Cangshan Mountain is one of the Best Tourist Attractions and Top Things to Do when travel to Dali, it introduces the main scenic spots, address, entrance...
Geographical Location Location: Xiaojizu Mountain is located in Weishan County, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. It is situated in the western part of Weishan County and is adjacent...
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