“Zhuan Hai Festival” (Lake Circling Festival) of Mosuo Ethnic People in Lugu Lake, Lijiang

The Zhuan Hai Festival (转海节), also known as the Lake Circling Festival(Zhuanhu Festival转湖节), is the most representative traditional festival of the Mosuo People (摩梭族). The festival usually takes place on the 1st, 5th, 15th, or 25th day of the first month of the lunar calendar. The central activity involves a collective pilgrimage around Lugu Lake (泸沽湖), where the Mosuo people perform rituals to honor the lake and its spiritual significance. In 2024, the event was officially included in Sichuan Province’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List (四川省非物质文化遗产), marking its role as a crucial part of Mosuo Culture (摩梭文化) and tourism.

Overview

Festival Dates

Lunar Calendar: 15th or 25th of the 7th month

2024 Dates: August 28th (Gregorian Calendar)

Main Activities: Walking, horse riding, and boat paddling around Lugu Lake (泸沽湖)

Key Ceremonies

Core Ritual: Circumambulation around Lugu Lake (泸沽湖) with prayer and offerings

Main Competition: Grandmother boat race (祖母舟比赛)

Folk Dance: Jia Cuo Dance (甲搓舞) (National Intangible Cultural Heritage)

Origin and Name

The Zhuan Hai Festival (转海节), also known as the Lake Circling Festival, originates from the Mosuo people’s reverence for Lugu Lake (泸沽湖), which they call “Mother Lake” (母湖). This natural worship ritual has been passed down through generations, forming a blend of agricultural rituals and the Daba Religion (达巴教), which combines animism and elements of Tibetan Buddhism. The festival is closely tied to the Mosuo’s deep connection with nature and their spiritual beliefs.

Festival Date: The festival is typically celebrated on the 15th or 25th of the 7th lunar month. In 2024, Lugu Lake Town (泸沽湖镇) in Yanyuan County (盐源县) will host the event on August 28th, marking the intersection of traditional lunar calendars with modern festive scheduling.

Rituals and Practices

Morning Rituals

In the early morning, participants, dressed in traditional attire, begin their pilgrimage around the lake in a clockwise direction. They bring offerings such as pork fat (猪膘肉) and candied flowers (花花糖). At Lion Mountain (狮子山), the Daba priest (达巴) recites prayers to the mountain god, while a Lama performs Buddhist chants for blessings. The procession is strictly guided by customs, such as women not crossing over the sacred fire pits and the requirement to walk in the designated direction.

Folk Activities and Competitions

Grandmother Boat Race

The Grandmother Boat Race (祖母舟比赛) is one of the key highlights of the festival. Each village selects a team of young and able participants to race in traditional pig-trough boats (猪槽船), which are crafted from logs. The 2024 competition saw 11 teams from different villages competing at the Mosuo Non-material Cultural Exhibition (摩梭非遗文化展演), where the winning teams were awarded by local officials.

Jia Cuo Dance

The Jia Cuo Dance (甲搓舞), a National Intangible Cultural Heritage (国家级非遗), is a traditional dance performed during the festival. Led by a flute player, participants hold hands and form a spiral, dancing in a series of 12 traditional movements. The 2023 dance performance saw over 1,000 people joining in, both tourists and Mosuo locals, sharing the joy of this cultural heritage.

Non-material Cultural Heritage Exhibition

A static exhibition showcases the craftsmanship of wild apricot oil (青娜油) extraction and the traditional Mosuo housing construction (木楞房). Additionally, the 2024 edition introduced a live performance of “Walking Marriage” (走婚), showcasing the Mosuo’s unique matrilineal culture.

Cultural Symbolism

The Wind Horse Flags (风马旗) hung at ritual sites carry scriptures and images of mountain gods, symbolizing “chanting prayers with the wind for blessings.” During the pilgrimage, young men and women sing the Ahabala tune (阿哈巴拉调). If a woman offers her floral waistband to a man, it symbolizes the forming of a relationship.

Modern transportation is strictly prohibited during the pilgrimage. The festival is rooted in the ancient teaching, “To walk around the lake with sincerity,” emphasizing the importance of authenticity and respect for the sacred journey.

Modern Development and Protection

The Zhuan Hai Festival (转海节) has evolved into a significant cultural tourism brand, drawing over 10,000 participants in 2018. This shift marked a transformation from a village activity to a major cultural and tourism event. Since 2024, Yanyuan County (盐源县) has officially organized the festival for seven consecutive years, hosting 23 non-material heritage performances and six ethnic games.

The festival’s funding is now supported by local government budgets, with investments for stage construction and cultural artifact collection in 2024.

Cultural Significance

Natural Worship: The pilgrimage around Lugu Lake (泸沽湖) symbolizes gratitude for the nourishment provided by the “Mother Lake” and seeks blessings for peace and a good harvest.

Intangible Heritage Protection: Recognized as a Sichuan Provincial Intangible Cultural Heritage (四川省非物质文化遗产) in 2009, it was upgraded in 2024 as a key cultural tourism asset.

Travel Tips

Best Places to Experience the Festival

Lugu Lake Town (泸沽湖镇), Yanyuan County (盐源县), Sichuan Province (四川省)

Yongning Town (永宁镇), Ninglang County (宁蒗县), Yunnan Province (云南省)

Important Etiquette

Always walk around the lake in a clockwise direction.

Do not throw waste into the lake.

Always obtain permission before photographing religious ceremonies.

The Zhuan Hai Festival (转海节) offers a unique opportunity to experience the living traditions of the Mosuo People (摩梭族), their deep spiritual connection to nature, and their rich cultural heritage. This festival is not only a celebration of the Mosuo’s ancestral ties but also an immersive cultural experience for travelers to witness and participate in.