Shepa Festival of Kucong Ethnic People in Zhenyuan County, Puer

The Second Shepa Festival of the Lahu (Kucong) Ethnic Group in Zhenyuan Yi, Hani, and Lahu Autonomous County, Zhedong Town, 2024

Event Introduction

The “Shepa Festival” is a traditional festival of the Lahu (Kucong) people in Zhedong Town, Zhenyuan County. The Kucong are an ancient ethnic group, originating from the ancient Qiang tribes. Due to wars, they fled to the mountains and lived an isolated, primitive life, known as “wild men.” Upon discovery, they transitioned directly from a primitive to a socialist society.

In the summer of 1956, a team from the People’s Liberation Army discovered traces of the Kucong people in the primeval forests of Jinping Miao, Yao, and Dai Autonomous County along the China-Vietnam border. Starting in the 1960s, with government assistance, the Kucong people gradually left the forests, settled down, and began farming. In 1987, the Yunnan Provincial Government officially classified the Kucong as part of the Lahu ethnic group.

The “Kuocuo Man” mentioned in the “New Book of Tang” refers to the Kucong people from the ancient Qiang tribes. The Kucong people call themselves “Kuocuo.” During the Qing Dynasty, they were also known as “Guzong.” The Kucong people have lived in high mountains for generations and possess unique knowledge and experience in identifying and utilizing various plants and animals in the subtropical forests. They mainly reside in Zhenyuan, Jinping, Luchun, Xinping, and Mojiang counties in Yunnan. The Kucong language is similar to the Lahu language. There are over 30,000 Kucong people in China, mainly living in the Ailao and Wuliang mountain regions at altitudes of 1800-2100 meters.

Zhedong Town is the main settlement of the Kucong people, with a population of 9369, accounting for 52.6% of the town’s minority population and one-fourth of the national Kucong population. Every year on the eighth day of the second lunar month, the Lahu (Kucong) people of Zhedong Town celebrate their most important festival, the Shepa Festival, which encapsulates the essence of Lahu Kucong history and culture.

Event Time and Location

Time: March 22, 2024 – March 24, 2024 (Friday to Sunday)
Location: Zhedong Town Center, Nanlao River

Event Schedule

March 22 (Friday) to March 24 (Sunday)
Activities: Kucong Folk Culture and Material Exchange Street, Amusement Park; Mountain Motorcross Race, Zhegan River Rafting; Nanlao River Beach Camping; Festive Drinking and Celebrations in Zhedong; “Shepa Cup” Five-a-Side Football Tournament; Kucong Music Festival, Bonfire Party.

March 23 (Saturday)
Activities: 2024 Shepa Festival Welcoming Ceremony and Kucong Folk Culture and Material Exchange Street Opening; Tug-of-War; Blowgun Competition; Kucong Archery Championship; Nanlao River Barehanded Fish Catching Competition; “Across Ailao” Second Rural Revitalization Symposium; Lahu Pig Feast; Kucong Music Festival, Bonfire Party.

March 24 (Sunday)
Activities: Rebound Three-String Bonfire Dance.

Travel Itinerary

March 22: Departure, three days and two nights.

Day 1: Camping by the Nanlao River – Picking Ginseng Fruits, Mountain Motorcross, Zhegan River Rafting, Nanlao River Camping.

Day 2: Shepa Carnival – Exploring the Material Exchange Street, Tasting Lahu Cuisine, Celebrations in Zhedong, Music Carnival.

Day 3: Hiking to Feilai Temple – Exploring the Green and Beautiful Town, Picking Oranges, Climbing Feilai Temple, Tasting Maden Tea.

Zhedong Specialties

Ailao Mountain Honey, “Yuanzhou Grain” Coffee, Kucong Palm Products, Lahu Farmhouse Specialties, Traditional Maden Tea, Seasonal Fruits, Lahu Pig Feast.

Tips

The temperature in Zhedong Town fluctuates significantly between day and night. Prepare appropriate clothing and sunscreen. Travel safely!

For assistance during the Shepa Festival, please contact us. We are here to serve you!

Zhedong Town People’s Government: 0879-5876064