Li Yongfen - Representative Inheritor of Female Sun Festival Project in Xichou County, Wenshan 

Li Yongfen (李永芬), born in 1947 in Shangguo Village (上果村), Wacha Village Committee (瓦厂村委会), Xisa Town (西洒镇), Xichou County (西畴县), Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture (文山壮族苗族自治州), Yunnan Province (云南省), is the core inheritor of the provincial-level intangible cultural heritage project known as the Women’s Sun Festival (女子太阳节), also called the Women’s Sun Mountain Ritual (女子太阳山祭祀).

The Path of Transmission and Her Cultural Role

Early Learning

Li Yongfen began her journey of cultural inheritance in 1964, studying under the guidance of elder folk artist Tian Jinqiong (田金琼). She systematically learned a wide range of Zhuang songs, including the core piece Ancient Songs of the Sun Ritual (祭祀太阳古歌).

Becoming the Ritual Leader

As older artists gradually passed away, Li naturally took on the role of host and lead singer of the festival. Fluent in the Zhuang language, she is able to perform ancient ritual songs and create improvised folk verses reflecting daily life. Her presence ensures that the Women’s Sun Festival continues to be practiced in its authentic form, making her the soul of this living tradition.

The Unique Women’s Sun Festival

Legendary Origins

The festival originates from an ancient Zhuang legend:
Long ago, there were twelve suns in the sky. Eleven were shot down, and the last one, frightened, hid away—plunging the world into darkness. A courageous Zhuang woman named Nie Xing (乜星) endured countless hardships to bring the sun back.

To commemorate this miracle, on the first day of the second lunar month, the women of Shangguo Village (上果村) have carried out a sun-worship ritual for generations.

Ritual Process

On the festival day:

• Purification: Women aged 16 or 18 and above bathe in the village river to cleanse themselves.

• Traditional Dress: They dress in the Zhuang ceremonial costume called Shi Nong (师侬), which resembles a bird’s attire.

• Procession: Led by elder women, the group walks to Sun Mountain (太阳山), the sacred ritual site near the village.

• Ancient Songs: They sing and chant the Ancient Songs of the Sun Ritual (祭祀太阳古歌), offering prayers for good weather, healthy families, and community harmony.

• Sacred Meal: Finally, the women share yellow sticky rice, the ritual food offering.

During the entire ceremony, men play a supporting role—preparing food and assisting in services—symbolizing respect and reverence for women.

Current Preservation and Transmission

Today, Li Yongfen is actively passing on her knowledge to disciples such as Lu Shunmei (陆顺梅) and Lu Shiqiong (陆仕琼). Meanwhile, the local government is safeguarding this heritage by compiling teaching materials and organizing training workshops for ritual practitioners.

Together, these efforts ensure that the female-led Sun Worship culture will continue to shine across generations, remaining a rare and precious cultural treasure of the Zhuang people.

✨ Visiting Xichou County (西畴县) during this period offers travelers a chance to witness not just a festival, but a living tradition that celebrates women’s strength, community harmony, and the eternal sun.

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