Short Brief of the Festival

• Chinese Name: 新米节
• English Name: New Rice Festival
• Ethnic Group: Wa Ethnic Minority
• Location: Menglian County, Yunnan Province, China

“New Rice Festival” is a day to celebrate the maturity of rice and the harvest season. Due to differences in climate, the timing of grain maturity varies in different regions, villages, and even households. However, it was generally held in the seventh or eighth month of the lunar calendar (September or October in the Va calendar). The date is determined by selecting an auspicious day based on the maturity of individual crops, and the day of the animal sign of the parent or grandparent who has passed away is considered the best. The purpose is to invite the spirits of the ancestors to come back and share the new rice with their family, and to ask for their blessings for the happiness of their descendants, good weather, and abundant food. In order for the Va people from different regions to be able to celebrate the “New Rice Festival” together, in 1991, the Cangyuan Va Autonomous County and the Ximeng Va Autonomous County jointly decided to designate the 14th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar as the “New Rice Festival” for the Va people.

Overview

The New Rice Festival is a traditional celebration of the Wa ethnic minority, marking the ripening of rice, celebrating the harvest, and tasting the new rice. Due to varying climates, the rice matures at different times in different regions, villages, and even households, leading to different festival dates. Generally, the New Rice Festival is celebrated in the seventh or eighth month of the lunar calendar (the ninth or tenth month of the Wa calendar). In 1991, Cangyuan Wa Autonomous County and Ximeng Wa Autonomous County jointly decided to set the fourteenth day of the eighth lunar month as the unified New Rice Festival for the Wa people, allowing them to celebrate the festival together.

Significance

The New Rice Festival is not only a celebration of the harvest but also an occasion for ancestor worship and expressing gratitude. The festival date is chosen based on the maturity of the grain and the zodiac day of deceased parents or grandparents. This is intended to invite the spirits of ancestors to join the family in tasting the new rice and sharing in the joy, while also seeking their blessings for family happiness, good weather, and abundant crops.

Activities

1. Preparation Before the Festival:
   • Each household prepares new rice, offerings, and drinks before the festival.
   • Villagers decorate their homes and prepare traditional attire.
2. On the Day of the Festival:
   • Song and Dance Performances: On the day of the New Rice Festival, local Wa people dress in festive costumes and celebrate with singing and dancing. The event begins with the cheerful drumbeats of “The Wa People Sing New Songs.”
   • Ancestor Worship Ceremony: Ancestral worship is conducted, offering new rice and other items to the ancestors to express gratitude and pray for a bountiful harvest and happiness in the coming year.
   • Tasting New Rice: Invited participants and villagers gather to taste the new rice together, sharing the joy brought by the harvest.
3. Community Celebration:
   • The local community organizes various celebrations, including song and dance performances and communal feasts.
   • Villagers come together to share new rice dishes and exchange insights and experiences from the past year.

Cultural Significance

The New Rice Festival is one of the most important festivals for the Wa people, reflecting their reverence and gratitude for nature and life. Through singing, dancing, and ancestor worship, the Wa people express their good wishes for the new harvest and strengthen their sense of community and cultural identity.

Conclusion

The New Rice Festival is not just a celebration of the harvest but a significant occasion for the Wa people to express gratitude towards nature, ancestors, and life. The annual New Rice Festival, filled with joy and emotion, showcases the Wa people’s love for life and pursuit of happiness. Through this celebration, the cultural traditions of the Wa people are preserved and promoted, and the unity and harmony of the community are further strengthened.

Overview and Introduction

• Chinese Name: 西盟县佤族新米节/迎新谷节
• English Name: New Rice Festival of Wa Ethnic Minority in Ximeng County, Puer

Every fourteenth day of the eighth lunar month is the traditional New Rice Festival, men and women of Wa people in new festival clothing with a lot of feature food (new rice, steamed sticky rice, cooked chicken rice, bamboo worm, tilefish, yellow fruit, etc.), packed by red thread for themselves or for the guests. On this day all people in the village gather on the village square for traditional activities including “cattle slicing for sacrificial offering”, new grain celebration, new rice eating, bullfight, wrestling, hunting, wooden drum dragging etc.

Activities

In the evening, they light bonfires, beat wooden drums, fire celebration salvo, blow lusheng, bamboo flute, play the three-string sanxian, traditional wooden drum dance, hair-swing dance and singing carnival activities. In addition the young, taking advantage of this festival day, look for companion and spread love, wishing for everlasting relationship.

The carnival goes overnight in dancing and singing, food tasting, drinking to celebrate harvest and to “communicate” with the heaven, and to pray for good crop weather, safety of human and animals and good harvest for the next year. These activities during the New Rice Festival generally last for three days.

Overview

• Chinese Name: 西盟县佤族木鼓节
• English Name: Wooden Drum Festival of Wa Ethnic Minority in Ximeng County, Puer
• Location: 西盟县/Ximeng County, Pu’re
• Festival Dates: April 10 to April 12

Origin of the Event
The Wa ethnic group in Ximeng County has a unique cultural charm, with a rich and colorful ethnic culture. The traditional Wooden Drum Festival has its own distinctive flavor. The county committee and the county government decided to hold the first Yunnan Ximeng Wa Wooden Drum Festival in April 2003.

Event Activities

Opening ceremony, original ancestor worship activities of the Wa ethnic group, wooden drum performances, Wa ethnic dance performances, traditional rice wine tasting and cattle wrestling celebration, ethnic sports displays, investment promotion, business negotiations, sightseeing tourism, and closing ceremony, among others.

More Details

The “Grey Month” in Wa’s calendar (i.e. December in solar calendar) is the time for Wa people to hold the Wooden Drum Dragging activity. The day before the festival, the head and the “Moba” (priest) lead a small group of people to the pre-selected big red tree right in the dark night. After sacrificial offering rites (oblations, ghost expelling, incantations chanting), the “Moba” uses an axe to cut the tree for the first several moves then the other people altogether cut the tree down, on the stump they put three stones as money paid to the tree ghost. Then they cut the trunk into sizes of the needed wooden drums, chisel out drum ears and fasten the drums by rattans.

The next day early in the morning, all people in the village, from the old to the young, will climb up the hill to drag the wooden drums. The “Moba”, holding high up a tree branch, lead people to sing the song of “wooden drum dragging”, command and coordinate people in their action. People strew water wine on the ground where the wooden drums is passing through, men dragging the wooden drums will sing and dance along the way, and other people will cheer on for them or send them wine or food. In fact the wooden drums they’re dragging are yet semifinished materials, which will be put outside of the entrance of the village for two or three days. Then the “Moba” kills chicken for sacrificial offering, and put the semifinished wooden drums on the ground beside the wooden drum house and hand them over to the carpenters.

On this day, men and women dragging the wooden together, it is said to be a good chance to find someone to fall in love with. It takes time for people to drag the drums, sing, dance and play. After the wooden drum is finished and qualified by test beats, people will lift and put them into the wooden drum house, and the celebration continues, the wooden drum dance starts and coordinates with the drum beats.

Chinese Name:佤族新水节/迎新水/接新水
English Name:  Spring Festival (Xinshuijie) of Wa Ethnic Minority

春节在佤语中叫“卧”，是佤族一年中最欢乐、最高兴的日子。在节日祝辞中，佤族老人常常念到：“把牙公艾，斋公尼，卧公桑”。“把牙”类似其他民族的火把节，“斋”是中秋节，“卧”是春节。祝辞的意思是把牙节老大，中秋节老二，春节老三。佤族全年有三大传统节日，春节是第三个节日。

在春节前几个月，家家户户就开始准备好吃的食品，酿制水酒，大人小孩准备节日服装，修缮房屋，备足柴禾。临近节日了，妇女割草准备马料。

佤族过年又叫“新水节”、“迎新水”、“接新水”，佤族春节最有意思的也是“接新水”。春节前几天，人们准备迎接新水。全村召开会议，杀鸡占卜，确定一户为接待户，每人凑出一碗谷子或一碗米、一只鸡、一筒水酒、一棵竹子，作好准备。第二天清晨，巫师带上祭品到水源地祭祀水神。巫师回到寨子后，全村男人立即出来参加修水沟，每家至少要有一人参加。除特殊情况经村寨会议批准外，无故不参加者要受到出双份物资的处罚。人们在高处挖水沟，低凹地方用竹子搭水槽，当天一定要把水引到寨子旁的大门外，但不能引入寨内。不参加引水的人则全部投入大扫除，打扫村寨，清除垃圾，铲除杂草，铺平道路，房前屋后、里里外外都要打扫得干干净净。

第三天清晨，太阳刚刚升上山头，全寨无论男女老少都换上节日盛装，从寨外到寨子中，排起长长队伍，将新水引入寨内。人们喜笑颜开，高声欢呼新水到来。早等在涧槽边的巫师，一手拿一个小小的竹筒，一手拿芭蕉叶，作好迎新水的准备。新水一到，他念颂道：“日日盼，夜夜盼，男女老少盼来你，终于把你盼到寨子里。望你长流不息，给全寨人带来福气，……”同时用芭蕉叶在水面不停地划来划去，表示对水的热爱和尊重。人们在水流两边栽上四棵木杈，插上鲜花。巫师接上一竹筒新水送到接待户家，倒入原先已经盛水的铁锅，再把各家拿来的肉、米倒入锅里，煮大锅烂饭，准备招待全寨子的人。

巫师离开涧槽后，大家欢呼着涌向新水，先喝一口尝新水，然后洗手、洗脸、洗发、洗澡，用竹筒接水回家。除了接新水外，大年初一这天是佤族“戒忌日”，不能干活，不能出寨门，外人夜不宜入户。初二清晨开始，亲友互相拜访，新姑爷拜老岳父，同时开始叫做“考敖窝”的打歌，拉开春节狂欢的序幕。

Chinese Name:佤族剽牛节
English Name: Cattle-butchering Ceremony of Wa Ethnic Minority
生活在滇西南西盟深山密林中的佤族人依旧传承着一些古老的信仰和风俗。佤族自称“阿佤”，意为“住在山上的人”。于是，西盟有了另外一个名字——佤山。最率真、直白的情感孕育了最粗犷豪放，或者说最原生态的行为方式，譬如被佤族人叫做“棱特莫艾”的剽牛——用血淋淋的剽牛献祭表示对神的虔诚，也寄托着佤族人对牛的感恩和祭奠。
https://baike.baidu.com/item/剽牛/6600297?fr=aladdin

Chinese Name:耿马县班老乡佤族贡象节
English Name: Gongxiang (Elephant Worship) Festival of Wa Ethnic Minority

The Gongxiang (Elephant Worship) Festival(贡象节) of Wa Ethnic Minority group is held every year at Banlao Town(班老乡) in Cangyuan Wa Autonomous County. Through a series of activities such as “ Elephant ceremony” and “ Worship the Elephant with thousand prayers”, the unique charm of the Wa people’s festival is demonstrated to the world with the theme of protecting animals and our eco system to persuit the sustainable development of coexistence of human and nature.

According to Wa culture, elephant is the symbol of wellbeing,as the earth presents the heart of the elephant , and river as its blood. The complete celebration follows 4 sessions,including invite, greet, worship the elephant and finally farewell to the elephant. The “elephants” displayed are made from bamboos and paper works.

On the day of the event, accompanied with loud and merrily drumming, “elephants” are invited to the Banlao Culture Square(班老乡文化广场) by thousands of Wa people from different local villages. They are dancing and singing together, spraying holy water to each other as blessings for a healthy and abandon year to come.

To the record, “Elephant Worship” is celebrated only by Wa people and it is the only festival concerning the the protection of Asian elephants among the 56 ethnic groups in China. It is listed as the intangible cultural heritage protection of Lincang City in 2005.

Chinese Name:佤族新火节/接新火节
English Name: New Fire Festival (Xinhuojie) of Wa Ethnic Minority

New Fire Festival is a traditional festival of Wa Ethnic Minority, which is also called Getting New Fire Festival. In the annual “New Fire Festival”, Wa people put out the old fire（旧火）, then the elders with noble morality and high reputation（德高望重）will light up new fire via an ancient way—drilling wood to get fire（钻木取火）. Every family in the village has to get new fire from the place where the new fire lit, and take it home and relight it. This portend the family will be lucky and safe and sound （吉祥安康）in the new year.

Brief Introduction

Wa people believe that they should not use old fire(旧火) when a new year comes, or there will be a fire. This is the reason they have such a custom of getting new fire every year. The date of New Fire Festival is equivalent to April or May of Solar Calendar, and the specific date will be decided by each village freely. The festival will last 3-5 days.

Legend

According to the legend, Immortal of Thunder, Dasai（雷神达赛）committed adultery with Immortal of Rainbow, Yayuan,（虹神牙远）who is his sister，which infuriated the Immortal of Sky, Li（天神里）. So Li（里） triggered a flood to crush the village and drowned a lot of livestock and villagers. Yadong（牙董）（It is said that she was the third woman leader of matriarchal ethnic group in Wa Ethnic Minority）told Mowei（莫伟）(an immortal who create everthing) this. Mowei（莫伟） was so furious that he instructed Yadong（牙董） to confiscate Dasai’s（达赛） property and exiled Dasai （达赛）up to sky. Yayuan（牙远） was shamed and hid herself under the ground. Dasai（达赛） and Yayuan（牙远） left a child named Yanqiu（岩秋）. Yanqiu （岩秋）was naughty. Once, he played rocks, and cause a fire.

The fire burned all the house in the village, and burned the whole word. People hated Yanqiu so much, so they swore never to use Immortal of Thunder’s fire anymore (It’s said that the earliest fire was given by Immortal of Thunder（雷神）). Then Mowei（莫伟） tough people to drill wood to get fire（钻木取火）. From then on, Wa people held the activity of “sending old fire（送旧火）” and “getting new fire（造新火）” every year. Gradually, the traditional New Fire Festival came into being.

New Fire Festival includes four parts:

The first thing of New Fire Festival is “sending old fire”. Following the sound of gong and horn, every family in the village puts out their own fire pond（火塘）with water in unified time. And they wrap an extinguished charcoal which is chose from the most representative family (In the past, it usually took Wolang, headman, Moba’s （窝朗、头人、魔巴）family as representative) with bamboo leaves. Then it will be send and buried out of village by the the elders with noble morality and high reputation（德高望重）. Killing chicken and casting spell shows that they cut off relationship of Immortal of Thunder’s（雷神） fire, and send the fire to its own place.

The next thing is “getting new fire（取新火）”. The the elders with noble morality and high reputation（德高望重） in the village light up new fire by “drill wood to get fire（钻木取火）” tough by Mowei（莫伟）. Each family will relight the fire pond with new fire and welcome new fire into their home.

Then Wa people will check the measures of fire prevention. In April and May, it is the dry season in the Wa mountains. Wind and goods are dry, so fire hazard breakout easily. During “New Fire Festival（新火节）”, everyone walk out of the house to dig fire proof ditches, and repair fire pool, and splash water to the roof of the straw house, and install water bamboo tube, etc., so that they can eliminate potential fire hazards.

Finally, Wa people sing and dance happily to thank Mowei brought new fire and also brought luck and happiness to them.

Chinese Name: 佤族播种节
English Name: Sowing Seeds Festival of Wa Ethnic Minority

Overview

Sowing festival, taking place in March, is one of the major festivals of the Wa ethnic group. When it is held, all the villagers of a Wa village will get together and hold a grand buffalo-butchering ceremony which is presided over by the donor the buffalo. After the buffalo is butchered, the beef will be allocated to each family for ancestral sacrifice ceremony and the skeleton has to be given back to the donor. In the Wa ethnic culture, the skulls of a buffalo is deemed a symbol of bonanza and prosperity.
As soon as the ancestral sacrifice ceremony is finished, the family members will have lunch and then start to plant rice in the fields.

Timing and Location

The Planting Festival is celebrated according to the Wa lunar calendar during the “Suo Mian Month,” also known as the Qi Ai Month, which corresponds to March in the Gregorian calendar. This vibrant festival primarily takes place in the southwestern mountainous regions of Yunnan Province, particularly among the Wa people. The festival aligns with the cuckoo’s call, signaling the time to prepare for planting.

Rituals and Ceremonies

On the day of the festival, a grand celebration unfolds, featuring elaborate rituals. The central event is the bull-catching ritual, presided over by the owner of the donated bull. During the ceremony, the host uses an iron spear to kill the bull, and the meat is distributed among participants for ancestor worship. The bull’s bones are kept by the owner, while its skull symbolizes wealth.

Following the ancestor-worship ceremony, families enjoy a communal lunch before starting to sow dry crops. The day is also marked by busy activities: villagers repair roads, clean homes, and split into groups for various tasks. Some go hunting in the mountains, others fish in the river, and others prepare for outdoor cooking. All gathered game and fish are cooked into delicious communal meals.

Highlights of the Sowing Seeds Festival

Timing and Significance:

• The Sowing Seeds Festival occurs during the Wa lunar calendar’s “Suo Mian Month,” typically in March. It symbolizes the transition from winter to spring and the start of the planting season. It is a time of renewal, gratitude, and hope for a good harvest.

Bull-Catching Ceremony:

• A key event during the festival is the bull-catching ritual, where villagers gather to participate in this traditional practice. The ceremony is presided over by the owner of the donated bull, highlighting communal ties and cooperation.

Feasting and Sharing:

• The festival features communal feasting with various traditional dishes, particularly those made from the meat of the bull that has been offered in the ceremony. This act of sharing food strengthens community bonds and reinforces the themes of unity and togetherness.

Ancestor Worship:

• Following the bull-catching, the meat is distributed among families for ancestor worship. This ritual reflects the reverence for ancestors and the belief in their influence on the harvest and community wellbeing.

Symbolic Sowing Activities:

• After the ancestor-worship rituals, families participate in symbolic sowing activities in the fields. This act serves both as a ceremonial gesture and as a preparation for the actual planting of crops.

Cultural Performances:

• The festival includes various cultural performances such as singing, dancing, and storytelling, showcasing the rich traditions and heritage of the Wa people. These activities help preserve cultural identity and engage younger generations.

Community Engagement:

• Villagers work together to clean the village, repair roads, and prepare communal areas for celebration. There’s a strong emphasis on teamwork and participation from all age groups, symbolizing the collective effort of the community.

Wild Game and Fishing:

• Young men gather to hunt in the mountains or fish in nearby rivers, contributing to the festive meals. This reflects the integration of natural resources and traditional practices into communal celebrations.

Evening Celebrations:

• The festival concludes with evening festivities around a communal fire, where villagers come together to enjoy entertainment, dance, and songs. This culminates the day’s events in a joyous atmosphere of celebration.

Agricultural Resilience:

• The Sowing Seeds Festival fosters a spirit of resilience and hope among the Wa people, as they prepare for the agricultural season ahead. The shared experiences of the festival underscore the significance of community, cooperation, and gratitude for nature’s blessings.

Livestock Slaughtering and Meat Distribution

In the village square, a livestock slaughtering ceremony takes place. The butchered beef is divided among households, with each receiving a portion for ancestor worship, praying for a successful grain harvest throughout the year. This practice of sharing the meat underscores the unity and harmony of the tribe. Concurrently, housewives perform symbolic sowing activities in the fields.

Evening Festivities

As evening falls, villagers gather around the fire pit for entertainment. Young people sing and dance, while elders enjoy wine and offer blessings. The festival concludes with a spirited community celebration, after which large-scale agricultural production begins.

The Planting Festival is a time of communal bonding, rich traditions, and preparation for the agricultural year ahead.

Introduction of The Festival

• Chinese Name: 佤族新米节
• English Name: New Rice Festival of Wa Ethnic Minority
• Time: August 13th-15th

“New Rice” Festival is one of the traditions prevailing among Wa ethnic minority. In the past, it was observed when the rice was ready for harvest and would last three days. During the festival, owners would collect some rice from farmlands, dry and then husk them. Next early morning, the doors of the house would be closed, rejecting visitors and animals, and all the families would stay at home enjoying the new-harvested rice. After the family finished, they would open the doors and invite neighbors to enjoy the rice.

On this day, all the villagers gather in the village square to participate in traditional activities such as the “bull-catching ceremony,” welcoming the new grains, eating new rice, bullfighting, wrestling, hunting, and playing wooden drums. In the evening, they light bonfires, beat wooden drums, set off fireworks, play the lusheng (a type of reed pipe), bamboo flutes, and do some three-stringed instrument playing, while performing traditional wooden drum dances and hair-whipping dances. They hold a song and dance celebration, where young people take advantage of the auspicious occasion to seek kindred spirits and spread love as a symbol of everlasting connection. People revel all night long, singing and dancing, savoring delicious food, and drinking fine wine to celebrate the harvest. They communicate with the heavens, praying for good weather, peace for people and livestock, and a bountiful harvest in the coming year. The activities for the New Rice Festival typically last for three days.

The Local Activities

1. Gathering in the Village Square: Villagers come together in the village square to participate in various traditional rituals and celebrations that foster community spirit.
2. Bull-Catching Ceremony: This highlights the agricultural lifestyle of the Wa people, where participants engage in traditional methods to catch a bull, symbolizing strength and vitality.
3. Welcoming the New Grains: Special ceremonies are held to honor the newly harvested rice, expressing gratitude for the year’s bounty.
4. Feasting on New Rice: The community enjoys meals featuring the newly harvested rice, which is a central element of the celebration.
5. Traditional Sports: Activities like bullfighting and wrestling are organized, showcasing the physical skills of the participants and adding an element of competition and excitement.
6. Hunting Activities: Hunting may take place, both as a traditional practice and for communal sharing of meat during the festival.
7. Musical Performances: Participants play traditional instruments such as the lusheng (a type of reed pipe), bamboo flutes, and three-stringed instruments. Music plays a crucial role in the festivities.
8. Dance Performances: Traditional dances, including the wooden drum dance and hair-whipping dance, are performed, often reflecting the culture and history of the Wa people.
9. Bonfire Celebrations: In the evenings, bonfires are lit, creating a lively atmosphere for singing, dancing, and storytelling.
10. Song and Dance Celebrations: “Singing competitions” take place where people engage in traditional song and dance, helping to strengthen community ties and celebrate local culture.
11. Blessings and Prayers: The community engages in rituals to pray for good weather, safety for people and livestock, and a successful harvest in the coming year.

Overview

• Chinese Name: 佤族青苗节
• English Name: Qingmiao Festival of Wa Ethnic Minority
• Date: May 20 – 21
• Location: Gengma County in Lincang City/临沧市耿马傣族佤族自治县

Qingmiao Festival (青苗节) is a traditional folk festival in China, which was celebrated by three minorities. However, their way to celebrate this festival is different. Here are the brief introductions of the origin and various ways to celebrate it.

Qingmiao Festival of Wa people

Qingmiao Festival(青苗节) is held from May 20 to 21 every year in Gengma Dai and Wa Autonomous County(临沧市耿马傣族佤族自治县) . It is one of the most solemn festivals of Wa people around Gengma which has been passed down for hundreds of years. Long time ago, it’s said that seed was sown but couldn’t take root. A Wa hero named Dasai Ma(达赛玛), after he praying in a ritual to the god of grain, the seed began to grow and thrive.

According to the traditional custom, people celebrate Qingmiao Festival for 3 days. On the first day, as Han Chinese New Year, numerous Wa people wear traditional costume. They are busy in cleaning Wells, sinks, drinking wine, making Chicken Porridge(鸡肉烂饭), worshipping God of village and God of Household(寨神家神).

After the ceremony, People playing San Xian(三弦) and singing songs. The villagers also reward their cattle with glutinous rice. They believe that the cattle should not be forgotten when they harvest the rice every year. The next day, Wa people gather together to celebrate the Soul of Grain(谷魂). On the third day, the cheerful green seedling welcome activity wil be held as scheduled.

Today, the “Qingmiao Festival” has been passed down for hundreds of years and has become an important carrier and expression form of the traditional culture of Wa people in Gengma.

Qingmiao Festival of Zhuang people

The event is a folk festival of Nong Si(农祀) and is held in the seventh lunar month. At that time, pork, rice is put outside as offerings for the Seeding God(禾苗神). Then, villagers start to block the road, so as to avoid disturbing Seeding God. At the same time, the whole villagers gather together, drinking, singing songs, wishing a good harvest.

Qingmiao Festival of Sala people

It’s a folk festival of Sala people, which mainly popular in Xunhua Salar Autonomous County in Qinghai province and Linxia hui Autonomous Prefecture Salar Autonomous county in Gansu province. The festival is held on an auspicious day in the fourth and fifth lunar months every year. After the time of the festival is decided, every family start making Steamed Sugar Stuffed Bun (蒸糖包), Grilled Meat (手扒肉), Meat Stuffed Bun(肉包) and other traditional Sala food. Meanwhile, some rich families also butcher chickens and sheep, donating some food and provisions to the mosque.

During the festival, old people wear long shirts with cloth or silk belts around their waists; young men in white sweat coats, red cloth belt around their waist; women wear hoods and in black or tartan cloth. They go to the mosque to worship and listen to the Imam reciting of the Qingmiao Sutra. After dinner, some people visit friends and relatives, and some are play around the village. The young men and women gather to sing and dance. The lyrics of Sala song are vivid and lively; the tune is melodious; the rhythm is lively. It has an unique emotional appealling which sounds very please to hear.

Chinese Name:佤族木鼓节
English Name: Wooden Drum Festival of Wa Ethnic Minority
Date: 13-14 April
Place: Menglian County, Pu’er City
Menglian is one of the two places called home by the Wa ethnic group in China, with the other one being Cangyuan County of Lincang City; and wooden drums are the most sacred religious instruments in the Wa ethnic society.

Wa Ethnic Group Wooden Drum Festival

The Wooden Drum Festival is divided into three parts: the “Lamu Drum,” the “Jumping Drum,” and the “Ritual Drum.” It is typically held before the sowing of dry crops and after the harvest. The wooden drum is considered a sacred artifact of the Wa ethnic group, said to have been created by the celestial god Mo Wei. The Wa calendar’s “Grey Moon” (equivalent to December in the Gregorian calendar) is the time when the Wa people historically held community-wide Lamu Drum festivals. In 2002, April 10-12 was established as the official date for the Wa Wooden Drum Festival in China. The wooden drum, unique to the Wa ethnic group, is often carved from a single piece of red-haired tree with a diameter of about 0.8 meters and a length of approximately 2 meters. The Wa people use it for rituals, alarms, gathering villagers, and entertainment, prominently showcasing their cultural arts and folk customs.

Introduction

The Lamu Drum, Jumping Drum, and Ritual Drum activities are generally held before the sowing of dry crops and after the harvest. During this period, there is no specific unified date for the festival across villages; each village selects its own date. To respect local customs while allowing all ethnic groups in the county to celebrate together, the Standing Committee of the People’s Congress of Ximeng Wa Autonomous County determined that April 10-12 would be the Wa Wooden Drum Festival in 2002. The “Grey Moon” is the historical time for the Wa community to hold the Lamu Drum festival.

Customs

The Wa people use the wooden drum for rituals, alarms, gathering villagers, and entertainment. Each Wa village has one or several wooden drum houses where the drums are kept. Festival activities emphasize showcasing ethnic cultural arts and folk customs. Additionally, tours are organized to scenic spots such as Longtan, Tianchi, Masan Reservoir, Yongdong Waterfall, Likang Waterfall, Gale Waterfall, caves in the Daigela River, Mo Wo Cave, Mangxing Cave, and various tropical rainforest landscapes. If the weather is favorable, visitors can also enjoy the vast sea of clouds over the Wa Mountains. During the festival, committee members are responsible for introducing Ximeng’s economic development resources and conducting trade discussions. The three-day festival features stage performances of ethnic cultural arts, large-scale folk exhibitions, rural folk performances, ethnic sports competitions, and a bonfire night of ethnic singing and dancing, providing diverse activities and colorful content.

Legends

The Wa people regard the wooden drum as a supreme artifact that connects them to the heavens, serving as a protector of the villagers. Its origins lie in the totem worship of ancestors during matriarchal society. Every Wa village has a wooden drum house dedicated to the drum. For centuries, the sound of the drum has echoed through the mountains, allowing communication with ancestors and deities, driving away evil spirits, praying for village safety, and rallying community members to fend off invasions.

The grand activities surrounding the wooden drum mainly include Lamu Drum, Jumping Drum, and Ritual Drum. Although these events do not occur consecutively, they are all celebrated with enthusiasm, grandeur, joy, and spectacle. They showcase the rich local ethnic characteristics of the Wa people, including their religion, songs, dances, food, clothing, and etiquette.

Process

April 10
On the first day of the festival, the village chief and “Moba” (the priest) travel at night to a selected tall red-haired tree to perform rituals (offering sacrifices, exorcising demons, and reciting prayers). After the rituals, the Moba chops the tree a few times, and others work overnight to fell the tree. They place three stones on the tree stump, signifying a sacrifice to the tree spirit. The trunk is then cut to the desired size, and drum ears are carved out, while vines are tied around it.

April 11
On the morning of the second day, all the village men, young and old, dress in festive attire and head up the mountain to pull the drum. The Moba leads the singing of the “Lamu Drum” song while coordinating the movements. People sprinkle water and wine on the ground as the drum is being pulled, with the men dancing and singing, while others cheer and offer food and drink. The drum is temporarily placed outside the village gate for two or three days. The Moba sacrifices a chicken, after which the large trunk is taken to the drum house for crafting. During this day, both men and women participate in pulling the drum, with many claiming it’s a good opportunity for romance, leading to long-lasting fun and festivities. Once the drum is finished and satisfactory, it is carried into the drum house, where people celebrate again, dancing to the rhythm of the drum.

Significance

1. Rituals: The Wa wooden drum serves multiple purposes, including rituals. Before 1958, Wa hunters would use the drum to perform rituals when they hunted large animals like tigers and leopards. The Moba would make offerings and pray for the village’s safety and bountiful harvests.
2. Alarms: The drum is also used as an alarm. It is sounded when the village faces external threats or fires, calling the villagers to defend against invaders or extinguish fires.
3. Entertainment: The drum is primarily an instrument for songs and dances, being the most important use of the wooden drum since the liberation.

Other Related Information

Lamu Drum
The Lamu Drum is one of the major ritual activities of the Wa people and a significant event for the entire village. It usually occurs in the 11th lunar month (the 1st month of the Wa calendar) and lasts six to seven days. Before the festival, the village leaders and the Moba discuss arrangements and send people to select trees suitable for making the drum, preferably red-haired or flowering peach trees. They determine the “main sacrificial family,” with the headman deciding through divination if there are many volunteers. Before the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, each Wa village had at least one pair of wooden drums (one male and one female) kept in the drum house, which were not to be touched except during festivals, rituals, and alarms. Generally, the drums are replaced every ten years, making the Lamu Drum festival especially grand and sacred.

There is a legend that the Wa people have an ancestor named Anmu Guai, who knew many ways to overcome floods and wild beasts. One day, a large tree fell in front of her cave. This ancient tree, with a hollow center, produced a loud sound when struck. Anmu Guai would strike the tree during the day to gather people for hunting and collecting, and at night, to lead them in singing and dancing around the bonfire. At that time, people could only fight wild beasts with sticks and stones. During the day, humans could defeat them, but at night, the beasts would attack people. After Anmu Guai began striking the ancient tree, the beasts were frightened away by the sounds and dances of humans, allowing people to survive in the mountains.

Another legend suggests that the Lamu Drum is used to worship the god Mo Wei, whom the Wa people regard as the embodiment of their ancestors. He resides in the heavens but descends to earth when the wooden drum is sounded, protecting the people and sharing in their joy. Therefore, the Wa people view the wooden drum as a connection to the heavens, and the first major task after establishing a village is to hold a Lamu Drum ceremony to honor their ancestors.

Wa Calendar’s First Month

On the morning of the Lamu Drum day, a bull is sacrificed as the first ritual of the Wa ethnic group during major festivals. The bull is tied to a “bullhorn fork” (a wooden fork resembling bull horns placed in the village square), where the Moba performs a dance and recites prayers before signaling the men holding spears to thrust into the bull’s right shoulder. A successful sacrifice occurs when the bull falls to the left, spraying blood upwards for good luck; otherwise, the ritual continues until auspicious signs appear.

In the afternoon, preparations are made with knives, axes, guns, crossbows, spears, and other tools, and the guns are tested. Around 7 PM, the Moba and others fire guns to gather the young men to pull the drum. A few people with knives, axes, and torches clear the path. Once everyone has gathered, they shoot at the selected tree’s treetop to scare away the tree spirits. The Moba then recites spells and chops the tree a few times before everyone takes turns cutting it down. Once the tree falls, three stones are placed on the stump as “tree cushions” to prevent the tree spirit from escaping. A section of the trunk over two meters long is carved into the drum, with two holes drilled at each end for vines to be tied.

That night, those who helped make the drum sleep beside it while the youth dance around it. The next morning, the village men and women bring fine food and drink to the tree-cutters. As soon as the sun rises, the Lamu Drum festivities begin, led by the Moba and village chief, who use tree branches to sing the Lamu Drum song while coordinating the movements. Men and women joyfully pull the drum together, with dozens participating, alternating between pulling, dancing, and celebrating loudly. The drum is left outside the village gate for one or two days until the Moba performs a chicken sacrifice, after which the new drum can enter the village.

When the new drum enters the village, people from neighboring villages come to congratulate, filling the village with joy, drumming, and shooting guns. The Moba places eggs and dried rats at the base of the drum, reciting spells. After the incantations, the men begin to beat the drum, and everyone dances around it, honoring the festival through joy and celebration.

During this time, the Moba invites special guests from neighboring villages to a ceremony known as “Gengwen,” where villagers perform a circle dance around the drum, singing and expressing joy. The festivities continue for several days, culminating in the villagers taking the drum to a place known as “Drum Mountain” to pray for blessings.

The Wa ethnic group’s Wooden Drum Festival is not only a celebration of their culture but also serves as a means to promote unity, reinforce traditions, and honor their history and ancestors. The festival stands as a vibrant expression of the Wa people’s identity and heritage.

Chinese Name:沧源佤族摸你黑节/司岗里狂欢节
English Name: Monihei Carnival of Wa Ethnic Minority in Cangyuan County, Lincang
Date: April 29-May 1
Venue: Cangyuan County

“Monihei Carnival” (making you black) is a mud smearing carnival of the Wa ethnic group. It is originated from the folk custom that people smear the pot ash, ox blood and mud on their faces to frighten the evils and seek peace. The Monihei Carnival is held in late April or early May each year in Cangyuan County, one of the only two Chinese Wa autonomous Counties in southwest China’s Yunnan Province.

Wa is an age-old and mysterious minority, and the people there have worked hard for more than 3,000 years and have created its unique glorious culture. Monihei comes from the Wa language, which means “this is what we have pursued and expected, and we will stick to it till forever”. Wa is a nationality which values spiritual life more than material life. Wa people are always optimistic and light-hearted, enjoying singing and dancing in their spare time. They believe that life comes only once; people have to face the same samsara regardless whether they are poor or rich. Therefore, people must cherish their life and live happily. This is Monihei, the Wa language translation.

Nowadays people use a natural plant called “Niang Bu Luo” to smear onto each other and pray for each other. Wa’s traditional view is that it will bring people blessings by smearing the magical “Niang Bu Luo” onto people’s face or body. Traditional magic “Niang Bu Luo” is made of the pot ash, ox blood and mud, etc. Now, it is made of fragrant mud with a natural plant, and it said to have the efficacy of anti-suntan and skin care and improving your looks. And a more interesting saying goes that chocolate is also one of the ingredients. Anyway, it makes your face feel fragrant and smooth after applying this magical yet natural cream.

Wa people’s traditional view is that: “When applying on a girl’s face, we hope the girl is getting more beautiful; when applying on an old man’s face, we wish the old good health and a long life; when applying on a kid’s face, we hope the kid is safe and lucky; when applying on a friend’s face, we look forward to Auld Lang Syne”. It is the true meaning of life for Wa people to long for a better future, pray for peace and luck, and seek happiness

As a traditional custom of the minorities in China, the “Monihei Carnival” has attracted a lot of tourists both from home and abroad. Black is auspicious color of Wa people. The costume is usually black-based in Wa villages and Wa women even color their teeth to black with a special coating every three days. During the Carnival, the “blacker” you look, the more beautiful you are. Try to be the “blackest” one!

Yunnan Travel Guide

Things To Do

• Yunnan Overview
• Yunnan Attractions
• Yunnan Tours
• Yunnan Shopping
• Yunnan Culture
• Festivals and Activities

Travel Information

• Yunnan Travel Tips
• Yunnan Climate
• Yunnan Transportation
• Yunnan Maps
• Yunnan Photos
• Yunnan Dining
• Yunnan Accommodation
• Yunnan Education
• Yunnan Travel News
• Administrative Divisions

Create My Trip

You Might Like

• 8 Days Yunnan Gaoli Gongshan Mountain Birding Tour
• 17 Days Yunnan Motorbike Riding Tour from Laos (Mohan Border)
• 4 Days Shangri-La Bala Gezong Grand Canyon Hiking Tour
• 14 Days China High Speed Train Tour with Yunnan Minorities Exploration
• 1 Kunming Golf Tour to Spring City Golf and Lake Resort
• 13 Days Yunnan Trekking Tour from Daocheng and Yading to Lugu Lake (West Route)
• 2 Days Chuxiong Nanhua Wild Mushroom Festival and Trade Fair Tour from Kunming
• 6 Days Kunming-Jianshui-Yuanyang Hani Rice Terraces Group Tour

Festivals of Wa Ethnic Minority

New Rice Festival of Wa Ethnic Minority in Menglian County, Puer

Short Brief of the Festival Chinese Name: 新米节 English Name: New Rice Festival Ethnic Group: Wa Ethnic Minority Location: Menglian County, Yunnan Province, China “New Rice Festival” is a...

Ethnic Minority Festivals    Veiw

• Festivals of Wa Ethnic Minority
• Menglian County
• Puer

New Rice Festival of Wa Ethnic Minority in Ximeng County, Puer

Overview and Introduction Chinese Name: 西盟县佤族新米节/迎新谷节 English Name: New Rice Festival of Wa Ethnic Minority in Ximeng County, Puer Every fourteenth day of the eighth lunar month is the...

Festivals and Events    Veiw

• Festivals of Wa Ethnic Minority
• Puer
• Ximeng County

Wooden Drum Festival of Wa Ethnic Minority in Ximeng County, Puer

Overview Chinese Name: 西盟县佤族木鼓节 English Name: Wooden Drum Festival of Wa Ethnic Minority in Ximeng County, Puer Location: 西盟县/Ximeng County, Pu’re Festival Dates: April 10 to April 12 Origin...

Festivals and Events    Veiw

• Festivals of Wa Ethnic Minority
• Puer
• Ximeng County

Spring Festival (Xinshuijie) of Wa Ethnic Minority

Chinese Name:佤族新水节/迎新水/接新水 English Name:  Spring Festival (Xinshuijie) of Wa Ethnic Minority 春节在佤语中叫“卧”，是佤族一年中最欢乐、最高兴的日子。在节日祝辞中，佤族老人常常念到：“把牙公艾，斋公尼，卧公桑”。“把牙”类似其他民族的火把节，“斋”是中秋节，“卧”是春节。祝辞的意思是把牙节老大，中秋节老二，春节老三。佤族全年有三大传统节日，春节是第三个节日。 在春节前几个月，家家户户就 ...

Festivals and Events    Veiw

• Cangyuan County
• Festivals of Wa Ethnic Minority
• Lincang
• Puer
• Ximeng County

Cattle-butchering Ceremony of Wa Ethnic Minority

Chinese Name:佤族剽牛节 English Name: Cattle-butchering Ceremony of Wa Ethnic Minority 生活在滇西南西盟深山密林中的佤族人依旧传承着一些古老的信仰和风俗。佤族自称“阿佤”，意为“住在山上的人”。于是，西盟有了另外一个名字——佤山。最率真、直白的情感孕育了最粗犷豪放，或者说最原生态的行为方式，譬如被佤族人叫做“棱特莫艾”的剽牛——用血淋淋的剽牛献祭表示对神的虔诚，也寄托着佤族人对牛的感恩和祭奠。 htt ...

Festivals and Events    Veiw

• Cangyuan County
• Festivals of Wa Ethnic Minority
• Lincang
• Puer
• Ximeng County

Gongxiang (Elephant Worship) Festival of Wa Ethnic Minority

Chinese Name:耿马县班老乡佤族贡象节 English Name: Gongxiang (Elephant Worship) Festival of Wa Ethnic Minority The Gongxiang (Elephant Worship) Festival(贡象节) of Wa Ethnic Minority group is held every year at Banlao Town(班老乡)...

Festivals and Events    Veiw

• Cangyuan County
• Festivals of Wa Ethnic Minority
• Lincang

New Fire Festival (Xinhuojie) of Wa Ethnic Minority

Chinese Name:佤族新火节/接新火节 English Name: New Fire Festival (Xinhuojie) of Wa Ethnic Minority New Fire Festival is a traditional festival of Wa Ethnic Minority, which is also called Getting New...

Ethnic Minority Festivals    Veiw

• Festivals of Wa Ethnic Minority
• Lincang
• Puer

Sowing Seeds Festival of Wa Ethnic Minority

Chinese Name: 佤族播种节 English Name: Sowing Seeds Festival of Wa Ethnic Minority Overview Sowing festival, taking place in March, is one of the major festivals of the Wa ethnic group....

Festivals and Events    Veiw

• Baoshan
• Festivals of Wa Ethnic Minority
• Lincang
• Nujiang
• Puer

New Rice Festival of Wa Ethnic Minority

Introduction of The Festival Chinese Name: 佤族新米节 English Name: New Rice Festival of Wa Ethnic Minority Time: August 13th-15th “New Rice” Festival is one of the traditions prevailing among Wa ethnic...

Festivals and Events    Veiw

• Baoshan
• Festivals of Wa Ethnic Minority
• Gengma County
• Lancang County
• Lincang
• Menglian County
• Nujiang
• Puer
• Shuangjiang County
• Ximeng County
• Yongde County
• Zhenkang County

Qingmiao Festival of Wa Ethnic Minority

Overview Chinese Name: 佤族青苗节 English Name: Qingmiao Festival of Wa Ethnic Minority Date: May 20 – 21 Location: Gengma County in Lincang City/临沧市耿马傣族佤族自治县 Qingmiao Festival (青苗节) is a traditional folk festival...

Ethnic Minority Festivals    Veiw

• Baoshan
• Festivals of Wa Ethnic Minority
• Lincang
• Nujiang
• Puer

Wooden Drum Festival of Wa Ethnic Minority

Chinese Name:佤族木鼓节 English Name: Wooden Drum Festival of Wa Ethnic Minority Date: 13-14 April Place: Menglian County, Pu’er City Menglian is one of the two places called home by the...

Ancestor Worship Festivals    Veiw

• Cangyuan County
• Festivals of Wa Ethnic Minority
• Lincang
• Puer
• Ximeng County

Monihei Carnival of Wa Ethnic Minority in Cangyuan County, Lincang

Chinese Name:沧源佤族摸你黑节/司岗里狂欢节 English Name: Monihei Carnival of Wa Ethnic Minority in Cangyuan County, Lincang Date: April 29-May 1 Venue: Cangyuan County “Monihei Carnival” (making you black) is a mud smearing...

Festivals and Events    Veiw

• Cangyuan County
• Festivals of Wa Ethnic Minority
• Lincang