New Rice (Xinmi) Festival of Nu Ethnic Minority

Chinese Name:怒族新米节
English Name: New Rice (Xinmi) Festival of Nu Ethnic Minority

The Nu Ethnic Minority’s New Rice Festival is a traditional celebration among the Nu people in the Lanping area. This festival typically occurs annually after the rice harvest, serving as a significant event to celebrate the bountiful harvest and express gratitude to the spirits.

Overview:
The Nu Ethnic Minority’s New Rice Festival is a traditional occasion for the Nu people to celebrate the rice harvest. Rice holds a crucial place in Nu culture, making the festival not only a celebration of abundance but also an expression of gratitude towards the land and spirits.

Festival Date:
The date of the Nu Ethnic Minority’s New Rice Festival is usually determined each year after the rice has ripened, based on the lunar calendar or local customs.

Festival Activities:

Harvesting and Pounding Rice: On the festival day, each household cuts rice from their mature fields and pounds it into fresh rice.

Ritual Offerings: The festival begins with ritual ceremonies to thank the spirits for their blessings and the successful harvest.

Feasting and Food Preparation: Families slaughter a chicken, feeding its meat and the new rice to their dogs before enjoying the meal together.

Family Banquets: During the festival, families prepare sumptuous feasts where new rice is the main dish, complemented by various local delicacies.

Dance and Song Performances: Festivities may also include dance and song performances to enhance the joyful atmosphere.

Cultural Significance:
The Nu Ethnic Minority’s New Rice Festival is not only a celebration of harvest but also a reflection of Nu culture and traditional ways of life. Through this festival, the Nu people uphold and promote their cultural identity, while strengthening family and community cohesion.

The festival underscores people’s dependence on and gratitude towards nature, serving as an integral part of Nu culture. It perpetuates beliefs and traditions, celebrating harvests and praying for future prosperity.