Qiren Festival of Lisu Ethnic Minority in Xiangyun County, Dali
Short Introduction of the Festivtal
- Chinese Name: 大理祥云县祥城镇白龙潭村傈僳族七人节
- English Name: Qiren Festival of Lisu Ethnic Minority in Xiangyun County, Dali
- Location: Bailongtan Village of Xiangcheng Town in Xiangyun County, Dali
Every year on the seventh day of the first lunar month, the traditional festival of the Lisu ethnic group is celebrated in Cunde Village, Xiangcheng Town—known as the “Qiren Festival” (Seven People Festival).
The origin of the “Qiren Festival” comes from the Lisu people’s primitive understanding of the relationship between heaven, earth, and humanity.
Starting from the first day of the lunar new year each year, the Lisu people categorize the elements of nature and the ecological chain as follows: one day, two earth, three pigs, four cows, five goats, six horses, seven people, eight grains, nine beans, ten wheat… This reflects the folk concept that “food is the primary necessity of the people.” The Lisu people celebrate the seventh day of the first lunar month as the birthday of all humans, a tradition that has been passed down to this day, forming the unique “Qiren Festival.”
Activities during the Festival
The “Qiren Festival” features a rich variety of activities, including ancestral worship, traditional performances of extraordinary skills such as “Walking on the Knife Mountain” and “Crossing the Fire Sea,” exhibitions of ethnic costumes and dances, singing duels, and traditional pine needle banquet gatherings. Lisu people from the local area as well as from Yongping County, Fengyi Town in Dali City, Chuxiong, Baoshan, Lijiang, and other places come together to celebrate this festive occasion.
People from various ethnic groups around the Bailongtan area, as well as guests and tourists from both domestic and international locations, also join in the joyous festival activities.
During the traditional song and dance performances, a total of 18 exciting ethnic music and dance programs such as “Zhi Pei Duo,” “Qi Ben Gua Qi Qi,” and “Zhi Pei Ma Duo Ge Ma Sa” fill the venue with a joyful atmosphere.
The highlight of the event is undoubtedly the traditional Lisu skills performances featuring “Walking on the Knife Mountain” and “Crossing the Fire Sea.” The atmosphere is both tense and enthusiastic, as the audience is captivated by the bravery of the Lisu warriors, leading to continuous cheers and applause.
