Overview

• Chinese Name: 瑶族赶鸟节
• English Name: Ganniao Festival of Yao Ethnic Minority

The Ganniao Festival, also known as the “Gannian Festival” or “Ganniao Celebration,” is a significant traditional event among the Yao ethnic minority in China, particularly celebrated in regions such as Guangxi, Hunan, and Yunnan. This festival is deeply rooted in the agricultural calendar and cultural practices of the Yao people, serving as an important occasion for community bonding and cultural expression.

Historical Background

The Ganniao Festival is traditionally associated with the end of the agricultural year, marking a time for the Yao communities to celebrate the harvest and express gratitude for the bountiful yields. The name “Ganniao” can be translated to mean “Harvest Festival,” highlighting its agricultural significance. This festival also encompasses aspects of ancestor worship, where families honor their ancestors and seek blessings for the upcoming year.

Timing

The Ganniao Festival is typically celebrated during the lunar calendar’s late autumn or early winter, coinciding with the conclusion of the harvest season. The specific timing can vary from one community to another, depending on local customs and agricultural cycles.

Celebrations and Activities

The Ganniao Festival features various activities that emphasize community, culture, and spirituality. Some of the key elements include:

1. Ritual Offerings: The festival begins with families preparing offerings for their ancestors. Common offerings include traditional foods such as rice, meat, and fruits, which are presented at ancestral altars or community shrines as a sign of respect and gratitude.
2. Feasting and Sharing: Central to the Ganniao Festival is the communal feast where families and friends gather to enjoy traditional dishes. Foods prepared for the occasion often include special recipes that are passed down through generations, emphasizing communal sharing and togetherness.
3. Cultural Performances: Music and dance are important components of the festival. Participants engage in traditional Yao dances, often wearing colorful ethnic attire. These performances are accompanied by folk songs, drumming, and the use of traditional instruments, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Yao people.
4. Games and Competitions: Traditional games and sports are organized as part of the festivities. Activities such as tug-of-war, races, and skill competitions encourage participation from all ages and promote a spirit of fun and camaraderie within the community.
5. Social Gatherings: The Ganniao Festival serves as a vital social occasion for Yao communities. It provides an opportunity for families and friends to come together, strengthen ties, share stories, and celebrate their cultural identity.
6. Prayer and Blessings: Groups may gather for ceremonies to pray for peace, health, and prosperity in the coming year. These spiritual observances reinforce the community’s connection to their ancestors and cultural beliefs.

Cultural Significance

The Ganniao Festival holds immense cultural significance for the Yao ethnic minority. It symbolizes gratitude for the harvest, marks the transition from one agricultural cycle to another, and fosters unity within the community. The festival serves as a platform for the Yao people to express their cultural identity, preserve traditional customs, and pass down their heritage to future generations.

In summary, the Ganniao Festival is a vibrant celebration of the Yao ethnic minority, encompassing agricultural rituals, cultural performances, communal feasting, and social bonding. Through its various activities, the festival highlights the Yao people’s rich traditions, reinforcing their sense of community and identity.

Overview

• Chinese Name: 瑶族姑娘街
• English Name: Guniangjie (Girls Street) Festival of Yao Ethnic Minority

The Guniangjie (Girls Street) Festival is a unique and vibrant celebration among the Yao ethnic minority in China, particularly prominent in certain regions like Guangxi. This festival is primarily focused on young women and their role in the community, incorporating elements of cultural expression, social interaction, and traditional customs.

Historical Background

The Guniangjie Festival, often referred to as the “Girls Street Festival,” is steeped in local folklore and traditions. It serves as a celebration of youth, femininity, and the coming-of-age of young women in Yao society. While the exact origins of the festival may vary across different Yao communities, it is generally seen as a time to honor women and the cultural values they represent.

Timing

The Guniangjie Festival is typically celebrated during the lunar calendar’s spring, often coinciding with the blooming of flowers. The specific date can vary from year to year, depending on local customs and lunar calendar cycles.

Celebrations and Activities

The Guniangjie Festival includes a variety of activities that emphasize community, culture, and the celebration of women. Key elements of the festival include:

1. Gathering of Young Women: The festival acts as a social event for young women in the community, where they get together to celebrate their youth, make new friends, and forge social connections. It is an occasion for young women to showcase their skills, beauty, and cultural knowledge.
2. Traditional Attire: During the festival, participants often wear traditional Yao attire, which is colorful and intricately designed. This not only highlights their cultural identity but also adds to the festive atmosphere.
3. Cultural Performances: Various performances take place, including traditional songs, dances, and storytelling. Young women often perform folkloric dances that tell stories of love, nature, and Yao mythology, enriching the cultural experience of the festival.
4. Games and Competitions: The Guniangjie Festival features traditional games and competitions aimed at fostering friendly interaction. Activities may include team games, skill contests, and even beauty contests, where young women can showcase their talents and creativity.
5. Rituals and Prayers: There are often traditional rituals included in the celebrations, where participants may offer prayers for health, fertility, and prosperity. These spiritual elements reflect the community’s connection to their cultural beliefs and the significance of women in Yao society.
6. Community Gatherings: The festival serves as a vital opportunity for communities to come together, strengthening social ties. Families and friends often gather to enjoy the festive atmosphere, share meals, and celebrate together.

Cultural Significance

The Guniangjie Festival holds significant cultural importance for the Yao ethnic minority. It celebrates femininity, youth, and the important roles women play within their communities. The festival reinforces cultural values, traditions, and social connections, passing these down to future generations.

In summary, the Guniangjie Festival is a lively celebration focused on the young women of the Yao ethnic minority, marked by traditional performances, games, social gatherings, and cultural expressions. This festival not only honors the contributions of women to Yao culture but also serves as a platform for nurturing community bonds and celebrating the unique identity of the Yao people.

Overview

Chinese Name: 瑶族祝著节
English Name: Zhuzhu Festival of Yao Ethnic Minority

The Zhuzhu Festival, also known as the “Zhuzhujie,” is an important traditional celebration among the Yao ethnic minority in China, specifically celebrated in regions such as Guangxi and Hunan. This festival holds great cultural significance and is characterized by a range of activities that showcase the Yao people’s rich heritage, agricultural life, and community bonds.

Historical Background

The Zhuzhu Festival is primarily connected to the agricultural calendar and is celebrated to give thanks for the harvest and seek blessings for future crops. The term “Zhuzhu” can be translated as “to invite or summon,” reflecting the festival’s purpose of inviting good luck and prosperity for the coming year. The origins of the festival are rooted in local agricultural practices and folk traditions, and it often involves rituals and customs meant to ensure a bountiful harvest.

Timing

The Zhuzhu Festival typically occurs during the autumn season, close to the time when crops are harvested. The specific timing may vary by region and according to the lunar calendar.

Celebrations and Activities

The Zhuzhu Festival includes various activities that emphasize community spirit, cultural traditions, and agricultural practices. Some of the key elements of the festival are:

1. Ritual Offerings: The festival usually begins with rituals where offerings are made to deities, ancestors, and the spirits of nature. Farmers prepare sacrifices of rice, vegetables, and livestock to express gratitude for the harvest and seek blessings for future agricultural success.
2. Feasting and Sharing: Central to the Zhuzhu Festival is the communal feast, where families and community members come together to enjoy traditional dishes. Dishes prepared usually feature locally sourced ingredients, and the emphasis is on sharing and celebrating the abundance of the harvest.
3. Traditional Music and Dance: Cultural performances play a significant role in the festivities. Participants often engage in traditional Yao music and dance, showcasing their rich cultural heritage. Folk songs and dances that tell stories of Yao life, nature, and history are common during the festival.
4. Games and Competitions: Various games and competitions are organized as part of the celebration. These activities can include contests of skill, strength, and teamwork, fostering a sense of camaraderie and friendly competition among community members.
5. Cultural Exhibitions: The festival may also feature exhibitions of traditional crafts, showcasing the artistic skills and creativity of the Yao people. This can include textile weaving, embroidery, and other forms of handicraft that reflect Yao culture.
6. Social Bonding: The Zhuzhu Festival serves as an important social occasion for the Yao ethnic community. It provides a platform for families, friends, and neighbors to come together, celebrate, and strengthen their social ties.

Cultural Significance

The Zhuzhu Festival embodies the Yao ethnic minority’s agricultural practices, cultural identity, and community values. It reinforces the importance of gratitude for nature’s bounty while also fostering social cohesion among community members. By preserving and celebrating their traditions during this festival, the Yao people ensure the continuation of their cultural heritage for future generations.

In summary, the Zhuzhu Festival is a lively and culturally rich celebration for the Yao ethnic minority, marked by rituals of thanksgiving, communal feasting, traditional performances, and communal games. It highlights the Yao people’s deep connection to their agricultural roots and their vibrant cultural traditions.

Overview

• Chinese Name: 瑶族春节
• English Name: Spring Festival of Yao Ethnic Minority

The Spring Festival, celebrated by the Yao ethnic minority, is a vibrant and significant event marking the Lunar New Year. Like many other ethnic groups in China, the Yao people engage in their unique traditions and customs during this festive period, blending their cultural heritage with the broader celebrations associated with the Lunar New Year.

Historical Background

The Spring Festival among the Yao people has deep roots in their agricultural lifestyle and is interwoven with ancient customs that emphasize renewal, family bonds, and gratitude for the harvest. It symbolizes the beginning of a new year, a time for reflection, festivities, and rituals to welcome prosperity and good fortune.

Timing

The Yao Spring Festival is celebrated on the same day as the Lunar New Year, which usually falls between late January and mid-February. The festivities can last several days, often continuing until the Lantern Festival, which occurs 15 days after the Chinese New Year.

Celebrations and Activities

The Spring Festival for the Yao ethnic minority includes a range of activities that highlight their cultural identity, family values, and connection to nature. Key elements of the celebration include:

1. Family Reunions: The Spring Festival is a time for family gatherings. Many Yao people return to their ancestral homes to celebrate with loved ones. It is an essential occasion for honoring ancestors and maintaining family ties.
2. New Year Preparations: In the days leading up to the festival, families engage in thorough cleaning of their homes to sweep away bad luck and make way for good fortune. This also includes decorating homes with traditional symbols of prosperity, such as red paper cuttings and couplets.
3. Ritual Offerings: Families prepare offerings and conduct rituals to honor ancestors and deities. This often includes food, incense, and other symbolic items arranged on altars. Such rituals express gratitude for the previous year’s blessings and seek protection and prosperity for the year ahead.
4. Feasting and Traditional Foods: Food plays a central role in the Spring Festival celebrations. Families prepare a variety of traditional dishes, often featuring local ingredients. Special foods might include rice dumplings, meat dishes, and various vegetables, each symbolizing abundance and good luck.
5. Cultural Performances: During the Spring Festival, the Yao people engage in traditional music and dance performances to bring joy and festivity to the celebrations. Vibrant costumes, folk songs, and lively dances are central to the cultural expressions of the festival.
6. Firecrackers and Festive Activities: To ward off evil spirits and bring in good luck, firecrackers are often set off during the celebration. Additionally, various games and activities may be organized within the community, promoting social cohesion and enjoyment.
7. Visiting Neighbors and Friends: The Spring Festival is also a time for visiting neighbors and friends, exchanging good wishes, and sharing food. This practice reinforces community bonds and celebrates collective harmony and joy.

Cultural Significance

The Spring Festival among the Yao people is not only a time for celebration but also serves as a meaningful expression of their cultural identity, values, and social connections. It emphasizes the importance of family, respect for ancestors, and community togetherness while incorporating elements of Yao traditions and customs.

In summary, the Spring Festival of the Yao ethnic minority is a vibrant celebration that combines family reunions, traditional rituals, festive food, cultural performances, and community engagement. It showcases the Yao people’s rich heritage and their deep-rooted beliefs in renewal, prosperity, and kinship as they welcome the new year.

Chinese Name: 瑶族盘王节
English Name: Panwang Festival of Yao Ethnic Minority

The Panwang Festival (盘王节) is the grandest festival of Yao ethic group, who has a large population (2.853 million in 2010), and mainly settle in South China’s Hunan province, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and Guangdong province. Outgrowing its past as a sacrificial ceremony engaged in worshiping ancestral, today’s Panwang Festival has developed into a comprehensive carnival among Yao people of all ages – they dress in traditional festival clothes, and show distinctive Yao performances by singing and dancing.

The origin of Panwang Festival

This over 1,700-year-old festival is celebrated on the sixteenth day of the tenth lunar month (usually mid- to late November) to memorize Yao people’s mythological ancestor Pan Hu (also Panwang or King Pan). According to legend, in the far ancient time, a group of Yao ethnic people traveled far away across the sea by boat, but unfortunately encountered a storm. The boat with people drifted on the sea for 49 days and was about to destruct. At about that time, one of the Yao people came to the bow of the boat and prayed to their ancestor Panwang for their safety. After making the wish, the calm returned on the sea immediately. And the boat reached shore very soon, saving the Yao people. It was just on Panwang’s birthday, the sixteenth day of the tenth lunar month. So the rescued Yao people prepare the banquet, singing and dancing, to celebrate their new life, as well as Panwang’s birthday.

The ancestral worship and ritual

The ritual is to worship and memorize Panwang King, so it obeys a fixed procedure strictly, and will be presided over by four priests and four assistants. An altar will be set firstly, followed by hanging the portraits of Panwang and other minor gods, such as Local Guardian Goodness and God of Farm. Then, the solemn worship gets into full swing. A worshiper shoots into the sky for three times and displays firecrackers. The elders prepare and present the sacrificial offerings including pig heads, glutinous rice cakes, chicken and rice wine to the gods devoutly. Then all participants stand in rows, and lower their heads to pray. Panwang worship ritual will be accompanied by distinctive Yao music, played by Long Drum and a zurna band.

The activities and performances

Every year, Panwang Festival is celebrated joyously by each Yao family or by the same clan of several villages together. It lasts from three days to seven days, with mysterious, sacred rituals, and many eye-catching traditional performances and fun-filled activities. During the festival, Yao people, men and women, the old and the young, all dress in their extremely diversified custom attires, and prepare the most luxurious banquets based on fresh local ingredients. They pay tribute to their ancestor Panwang and celebrate the harvest, in forms of recitals, libation, incense, songs, and dances.

The first and foremost thing of the celebration is to offer sacrifice to Panwang – by singing the Chorus of Panwang King, and performing the over 2000-year-old Long Drum Dance, Yellow-land Drum Dance, Umbrella Dance and Copper Drum Dance. The Chorus of Panwang King is an epic of Panwang and a collection of Yao poetry, with rich content involved in working, migrating, farming, planting, hunting, legends, romance, marriage, etc.

In many Yao villages, there are also exhibition of calligraphy and paintings, food festival, unique entertainments of firecracker display and Da Hua Gun (Stick Spinning), local operas or acrobatics performed by troupes, various sport competitions and busy trade markets. The large-scale singing fair is for making new friends and a romantic occasion for dating.

The Panwang Festival promises to be fun for all travelers, especially China ethnic culture fans.

Overview

Chinese Name:红河金平县盘王节
English Name: Panwang Festival of Yao Ethnic Minority in Jinping County, Honghe
Date: The sixteenth day of the tenth month of the lunar calendar

Origin of the Festival

The Yao ethnic group’s Panwang Festival has ancient customs associated with celebrating it in Yao regions, documented as early as the Jin Dynasty in Gan Bao’s “Collecting the Gods,” Liu Yuxi’s “Song of the Barbarians” from the Tang Dynasty, and Zhou Qufei’s “Responses from Beyond the Mountains” from the Southern Song Dynasty. According to the “Collecting the Gods” from the early Han Dynasty, the ancestors of the Yao people “used blood and flesh to prepare offerings, calling out as they beat the trough in sacrifice to Pan Yao.” When Tang poet Liu Yuxi was exiled to Lianzhou (now Lianshan Zhuang and Yao Autonomous County in Guangdong), he referenced the Yao people’s custom of “holding seasonal sacrifices to Panhu” in his poem “Song of the Barbarians.” In “Responses from Beyond the Mountains,” it states: “Every year in October, the Yao people gather to worship the Great King Dubo at the temple. Men and women without partners dance together, called ‘Tao Yao.’” “Tao Yao” refers to “jumping for the Panwang,” which has developed into the Yao Panwang Festival; “jumping” means dancing. Jumping for the Panwang signifies people dancing to express gratitude to Panwang and to pray for his protection over their descendants.

Festival Customs

The Yao Panwang Festival follows a set procedure, starting with the worship of Panwang. During the festival, an altar is set up with various idols hanging, the largest being the idol of Panwang, flanked by figures such as Zhenwu, Gongcao, Tiangong, and Dimu. The ceremony begins with the firing of three gunshots, followed by the sound of firecrackers. Amidst the firecracker sounds, the elders and village leaders present offerings such as pig heads, glutinous rice cakes, chicken, and alcohol in front of the idols, while people bow their heads, offering silent prayers as a sign of respect and remembrance.

After the sacrificial rites, everyone sings Panwang songs and dances the Panwang dance. The “Panwang Song” is an epic that emerged in the singing halls and is also a popular anthology of Yao poetry. There are three versions of the “Panwang Song” manuscript: twenty-four sections, thirty-two sections, and thirty-six sections, each consisting of over three thousand lines. It takes seven days and nights to sing one complete “Panwang Song.” The songs recount the origins of the sun, moon, stars, and all things, and include themes like the great flood and the creation of humanity by the siblings Fuxi, praises of the lands inhabited by the Yao, reflections on Yao hunting life, ancient hunting methods, agricultural themes, praises of skilled craftsmen, interactive question-and-answer songs, humorous songs constructed with disordered common affairs, as well as love songs such as “Spring Song,” “Flower Song,” “Fruit Song,” and songs reflecting women’s hardships like “Second Mother Song,” totaling over dozens of varieties. Additionally, the “Panwang Song” includes musical pieces, consisting of seven tunes: Huang Tiao Sha, San Feng Qu, Wan Duan Qu, He Ye Bei Qu, Nan Hua Zi Qu, Fei Jiang Nan Qu, and Mei Hua Qu, collectively referred to as the “Seven Ren Tunes.”

The “Panwang Dance” is accompanied by drums and gongs, with dance steps that alternate between jumping up, squatting down, turning left, and spinning right, all of which display strength and grace, recreating scenes of the Yao ancestors farming, hunting, and going into battle, sometimes with men and women singing together. Besides worshiping Panwang, singing, and dancing, some places also feature the dancing of flower sticks, setting off fireworks, and singing love songs.

In addition to the Panwang songs and dances, a particular long drum attracts attention—the Huangni Drum. Various types of drums exist, but the Yao people use a unique drum made of yellow clay. The Huangni Drum is a type of long drum made by the Ao Yao (a branch of the Yao ethnic group) who live in the Greater Yao Mountain region. The Ao Yao call it “Ni Wang Yong,” which means that yellow clay and water are applied to the drumhead to determine the drum’s tone. Because the drumhead is damp, it increases in thickness and produces a unique and resonant twin echo sound of “kong—yang, kong—yang” when struck, making it very pleasant to hear and capable of being heard for hundreds of miles. The drum is played only during the grand traditional festival “Jumping for Panwang” and cannot be struck at other times. The Huangni Drum, made from flexible and lightweight paulownia wood with two hollow ends, has male and female drum types. The male drum has a waist length of about three feet and two inches and a diameter of four inches, with both ends shaped like bells; the female drum has a shorter waist, about three feet in length and a diameter of six inches. The drumhead is covered with goat skin, and eight palm strips are tied at both ends to tighten it, with bamboo pieces twisted with ropes in the center to stretch the drumhead. The Huangni Drum dance has a unique rhythm, requiring one female drum to match four male drums in a dance group. The performer carries the female drum tilted against their chest and strikes the male drums vertically, with the right hand holding one and the left hand striking it. The entire dance incorporates various movements, strong and carefree. The female drum acts as the conductor, controlling the rhythm of the dance, while the male drum players must beat in time with the female drum’s beats, thus the female drum player is often an elder. The female drum moves gracefully, embodying softness and strength, while the male drums are energetic and passionate. Young men and women revolve around the male drums and singing group, enclosing the female drum tightly, like stars surrounding the moon. The female drum occasionally answers the male drums, making the whole dance vibrant and lively. The Yao young people, with red headscarves, feathers inserted, wearing traditional clothing with collars, and long drums hanging at their waists, turn with each step while playing the long drums, striking rhythmic beats, and the drummers sometimes bend forward as they move, leaping and playing. Meanwhile, several elegantly dressed young women, under the leadership of a singing teacher, dance gracefully with flower handkerchiefs, interspersing their dance with beautiful Huangni drum songs.

During the “Jumping for Panwang,” young men and women often exchange songs, and unmarried individuals might use the song exchanges to find partners. If both parties find a mutual attraction, they may exchange tokens to signify a lifelong commitment. Older individuals take the opportunity to share production experiences and wish each other a bountiful harvest for the following year.

The Panwang Festival can be celebrated within individual households, in joint households, or among the same clan or family members. Regardless of the form, there will always be animal sacrifices for worship and a feast to entertain relatives and friends. The festival generally lasts for three days and two nights, with some celebrations extending up to seven days and seven nights. The Panwang Festival ceremonies are presided over by four officiants, each responsible for different roles: the prayer master, the sacrificial master, the reward master, and the grains master, each with one assistant, totaling eight participants. Additionally, there are four songstresses and singers, six young boys and girls, one Huangni drum artist, and a suona band participating in the Panwang Festival.

Chinese Name:西双版纳勐腊县瑶区瑶族乡瑶族盘王节
English Name: Panwang Festival of Yao Ethnic Minority
Address: Yoaqu Town of Mengla County, XishuangBanna,Yunnan西双版纳勐腊县瑶区瑶族乡
The King Panwang Festival is an important festival for offering sacrifices to the ancestor Panhu. All Yao clans, both home and abroad, value this sacrifice rites. Every year on October 16th of lunar calendar, the Yao clan, men and women, the old and the young all will be dressed in their festival best. They gather together singing and dancing, spending joyful King Panwang festival. (also called “dancing for King Panwang” or “following King Panwang”). The songs they sing are something like the happy lord based on King Panwang songs.

The Yao people primarily inhabit the Yao District in Mengla County and Mengwang Township in Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna. The Panwang Festival is the most grand traditional celebration for the Yao community.

According to legend, long ago, a battle took place between King Ping and King Gao. King Ping announced a reward: whoever could defeat King Gao would not only receive a generous prize but also the hand of the third princess in marriage. No one dared to answer the call, except for Pan Hu, the ancestor of the Yao people, who bravely took on the challenge. He crossed the sea, retrieved King Gao’s head, and won the right to marry the third princess. He was crowned king at the “Ten Treasures Hall of Nanjing Jishan” and became known as King Pan. King Pan and the princess had six sons and six daughters, establishing the twelve surnames of the Yao people.

Later, while hunting in the mountains, King Pan tragically fell off a cliff after being gored by a goat. Soon after, his children found his body at the foot of the cliff beneath a camphor tree. They cut down the tree to make a wooden drum, killed the goat, and used its skin for the drumhead. They beat the drum and sang songs to mourn King Pan. From then on, every year on the sixteenth day of the tenth lunar month (King Pan’s birthday), the Yao people would beat the long drum, sing, and dance to commemorate him.

After the twelve Yao surnames were expelled from Qianjia Cave, they faced a perilous sea journey, enduring strong winds and waves for seven days and nights without reaching land. They prayed and made offerings for King Pan’s protection, which allowed them to successfully cross the sea. To express gratitude for King Pan’s protection and to pray for prosperity, the twelve Yao clans would regularly “fulfill their vows to King Pan,” dance the “Panwang Dance,” perform the “Long Drum Dance,” and sing “Panwang Songs.” After his death, one of King Pan’s eyes became the sun, the other became the moon, his muscles formed the mountains, his blood vessels became rivers, and the flowers and trees of the earth were considered his fur. In the hearts of the Yao people, King Pan is a deity shining alongside the sun and moon. Thus, during festivals, the Yao people also honor heaven and earth in remembrance of King Pan.

Today, the Panwang Festival is celebrated primarily in villages and towns where the Yao people gather, often with festivities held in Mengla County. Activities include song and dance performances, sporting competitions, and displays of Yao folk songs and traditional dances. The festival features competitions such as flag-waving contests and pole-raising challenges. The Panwang Festival has gained significant recognition, attracting Yao representatives, guests from within and outside the province, and people from various ethnic groups to celebrate together. This vibrant celebration has become a cultural exchange festival that fosters friendship and unity among different ethnic groups.

To promote and pass down traditional Chinese culture, showcase the unique characteristics of the Yao district, strengthen the awareness of the Chinese national community, and gather the strong force of unity and hard work among various ethnic groups, the Yao District will host a series of events for the 38th “Panwang Festival” and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the Yao Township on November 24-25, with the theme “Striving Forward for 70 Years, National Unity Enriching Yao Township.”

Celebration Highlights of the 38th “Panwang Festival” and 70th Anniversary of Yao Township:

On November 25-26, the 38th “Panwang Festival” and the celebration of the 70th anniversary of Yao Township were successfully completed. The event was filled with excitement, attracting many local residents and visitors. The winter atmosphere combined with the warmth of the Yao people’s hospitality created a memorable experience.

1. Culinary Delights: Savoring the Flavors of Yao Cuisine

The long street in Yao Township was bustling with activity, filled with the aroma of delicious food. Visitors enjoyed an array of authentic dishes from the Yao, Hani, and Dai ethnic groups, a paradise for food lovers. Specialties included Yao rice dumplings, colorful sticky rice, and pickled vegetables that tantalized the taste buds, as well as Dai dishes cooked in bamboo tubes and banana leaves, bursting with sour, spicy, and fresh flavors. Hani specialties like bamboo chicken and sour bamboo shoots offered a taste of the region’s natural agricultural products.

2. Dance and Music: Experiencing the Culture of Yao Township

With unity in the air, the celebration showcased the beauty of Yao culture. As the lights shone, the stage became the focal point, with men, women, and children dressed in festive attire, singing and dancing. Performances included the Yao “Washing Cloth Dance,” Dai “Spring in Dai Homeland” dance, Hani “Ranmi Pidi” dance, and Yi “Camellia” dance, exuding youthful energy and grace. The song “Commemorating the 70th Anniversary of Township Establishment” encapsulated countless stories of the Yao people. Following the performances, winners of singing competitions and the Love Hometown Basketball Cup joyfully returned home, hand in hand.

3. A Night of Unity: The Bonfire Celebration

As darkness fell, the bonfire competed with the bright full moon. Laughter and singing filled the air, creating a magical atmosphere under the starry sky. People of all ethnicities joined hands around the fire, dancing and singing along with the rhythm. The warmth of the bonfire reflected on everyone’s joyful faces, and the lively atmosphere spread throughout the gathering, fostering a sense of community and celebrating cultural heritage.

4. Ethnic Solidarity: Embracing the Spirit of Yao Township

This beautiful land is a thriving community where everyone supports and cares for one another. The hardworking and hospitable Yao people, along with other ethnic groups, stand united like pomegranate seeds. In the early morning, various groups danced to the lively beat of drums, filling the air with the sound of jingling silver jewelry and joyful laughter. The ethnic performances showcased the Yao people’s confidence, hospitality, and hope for a better future. This display of traditional culture reflects the spirit of the people, who cherish life and strive for progress, representing the harmony and prosperity of the Yao community.

5. Enduring Spirit: Experiencing the Yao’s Resilience

Food is a reminder of warmth and care, capturing the essence of life. The diverse dishes of Yao cuisine evoke a sense of nostalgia and connection to home. At the festival, a wide variety of dishes delighted the senses, showcasing the rich flavors of Yao food that evoke fond memories. Contestants displayed their culinary skills, eagerly competing for the title of “Master Chef” among ethnic foods. The cooking and plating processes were seamless, each dish infused with the unique flavors and aromas of the Yao region.

Don’t Miss Out on Experiencing the Beauty of Yao Township and its Vibrant Culture!

Event Schedule:

1. Marketplace: Exhibition and sale of ethnic agricultural products and specialty foods
November 24-25, 08:00-20:00, Yao District Town Street

2. Celebration Reception: Welcoming guests and cultural teams
November 24, 13:00-16:00, Yao District Ethnic Cultural Activity Square

3. Cultural Evening: Performances and awards ceremony
November 24, 19:30-21:30, Yao District Ethnic Cultural Activity Square

4. Festival Reception: Welcoming guests
November 25, 08:00-09:30, Yao District Ethnic Cultural Activity Square

5. Ethnic Folk Performances:
November 25, 09:30-10:30, from Yao District Middle School to the Ethnic Cultural Square

6. Celebration Ceremony: Cultural performances
November 25, 10:30-12:00, Yao District Ethnic Cultural Activity Square

7. Food Competition: Yao rice dumplings and flower rice evaluation
November 25, 12:10-12:30, Yao District Ethnic Cultural Activity Square

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Festivals of Yao Ethnic Minority

Ganniao Festival of Yao Ethnic Minority

Overview Chinese Name: 瑶族赶鸟节 English Name: Ganniao Festival of Yao Ethnic Minority The Ganniao Festival, also known as the “Gannian Festival” or “Ganniao Celebration,” is a significant traditional event...

Festivals and Events    Veiw

• Festivals of Yao Ethnic Minority
• Hekou County
• Honghe
• Mengla County
• Wenshan
• XishuangBanna

Guniangjie (Girls Street) Festival of Yao Ethnic Minority

Overview Chinese Name: 瑶族姑娘街 English Name: Guniangjie (Girls Street) Festival of Yao Ethnic Minority The Guniangjie (Girls Street) Festival is a unique and vibrant celebration among the Yao ethnic...

Festivals and Events    Veiw

• Festivals of Yao Ethnic Minority
• Hekou County
• Honghe
• Mengla County
• Wenshan
• XishuangBanna

Zhuzhu Festival of Yao Ethnic Minority

Overview Chinese Name: 瑶族祝著节 English Name: Zhuzhu Festival of Yao Ethnic Minority The Zhuzhu Festival, also known as the “Zhuzhujie,” is an important traditional celebration among the Yao ethnic...

Festivals and Events    Veiw

• Festivals of Yao Ethnic Minority
• Hekou County
• Honghe
• Mengla County
• Pingbian County
• Wenshan
• XishuangBanna

Spring Festival of Yao Ethnic Minority

Overview Chinese Name: 瑶族春节 English Name: Spring Festival of Yao Ethnic Minority The Spring Festival, celebrated by the Yao ethnic minority, is a vibrant and significant event marking the...

Ethnic Minority Festivals    Veiw

• Festivals of Yao Ethnic Minority
• Funing County
• Hekou County
• Honghe
• Jiangcheng County
• Jinping County
• Lvchun County
• Maguan County
• Malipo County
• Mengla County
• Mojiang County
• Pingbian County
• Puer
• Wenshan
• XishuangBanna

Panwang Festival of Yao Ethnic Minority

Chinese Name: 瑶族盘王节 English Name: Panwang Festival of Yao Ethnic Minority The Panwang Festival (盘王节) is the grandest festival of Yao ethic group, who has a large population (2.853...

Festivals and Events    Veiw

• Festivals of Yao Ethnic Minority
• Funing County
• Hekou County
• Honghe
• Jiangcheng County
• Jinping County
• Lvchun County
• Maguan County
• Malipo County
• Mengla County
• Mojiang County
• Pingbian County
• Puer
• Wenshan
• XishuangBanna

Panwang Festival of Yao Ethnic Minority in Jinping County, Honghe

Overview Chinese Name:红河金平县盘王节 English Name: Panwang Festival of Yao Ethnic Minority in Jinping County, Honghe Date: The sixteenth day of the tenth month of the lunar calendar Origin of the...

Festivals and Events    Veiw

• Festivals of Yao Ethnic Minority
• Honghe
• Jinping County

Panwang Festival of Yao Ethnic Minority in Mengla County, XishuangBanna

Chinese Name:西双版纳勐腊县瑶区瑶族乡瑶族盘王节 English Name: Panwang Festival of Yao Ethnic Minority Address: Yoaqu Town of Mengla County, XishuangBanna,Yunnan西双版纳勐腊县瑶区瑶族乡 The King Panwang Festival is an important festival for offering sacrifices to...

Dance Festivals    Veiw

• Festivals of Yao Ethnic Minority
• Mengla County
• XishuangBanna