Guoxinnian (New Year) Festival of Achang Ethnic Minority

Chinese Name:阿昌族过新年
English Name:  Guoxinnian (New Year) Festival of Achang Ethnic Minority

The New Year of the Achang ethnic group is the most important and lively traditional festival for the Achang people. It starts on the first day of the first lunar month of the year and lasts until the sixteenth day of the first lunar month. During this time, the Achang people hold various activities to celebrate the arrival of the New Year.

During the New Year, the Achang people engage in a variety of traditional activities. The most important of these is the sacrifice to the village god. This sacrifice is a must-hold activity during the Achang New Year, representing the Achang people’s awe and gratitude for nature. In addition to the sacrifice to the village god, the Achang people also engage in other celebration activities, such as swinging, dancing, singing, playing ping pong, and eating New Year’s Eve meals.

Swinging is one of the most popular activities during the Achang New Year. The swing is made of a sturdy wooden pole with seats on either side. Young people sit on the swing and are pushed by others, and the height of the swing depends on the strength of the push. Swinging is not only a form of entertainment, but also represents love between young men and women in Achang culture.

Dancing is an essential activity during the Achang New Year. The Achang people have a variety of dances, including elephant-foot dance, peacock dance, and knife dance. These dances are not only a form of performance, but also a way for the Achang people to express their emotions. When dancing, the Achang people wear their most magnificent national costumes, holding various musical instruments and singing as they dance.

During the New Year, the Achang people also eat New Year’s Eve meals. This is the most abundant meal that the Achang people eat throughout the year. The New Year’s Eve meal includes various delicacies that the Achang people enjoy, such as pork, chicken, and fish. In addition to the delicacies, the New Year’s Eve meal also includes gods and ancestors that the Achang people worship.

In short, the Achang New Year is a joyful and mysterious festival that represents the awe and gratitude of the Achang people for nature and showcases the charm and characteristics of Achang culture.