Yi Nationality Festivals at a Glance:

2015-09-04 01:47:09 Author：culture Source：National culture Browse number：0 Comment 0 A

Time	Festival	Festivities
Feb8th (lunar month)	Chahua Festival(插花节)	It is a very distinctive festival of Yi Nationality. The grandest one will take place in Huashan area, Dayao County, Yunnann province. On the 8th day of the second lunar month, Yi people will pick fresh flowers to decorate their doors, shrines and water buffalos and each other for good wishes. Except for mutton and beef, special food including glutinous rice snacks and buckwheat pancakes will also be prepared. A bonfire will be set up during night, Yi people of both genders and all ages will dance around it to their hearts’ content. Serving as the ideal chance to find their soul mates, Saizhuang Festival has evolved into Yi people’s Valentine’s Day.
Jan 8th-15th (lunar month)	Yi Nationality Tiger Dance Festival(彝族跳虎节)	Just as fire, tiger is also a cultural totem of Yi people. In the 8th day to the 15th day of the first lunar month, Yi people will celebrate Tiger Dance Festival inShuangbai County(双柏县), Chuxiong to pay homage to tiger, the creator of all beings. This festival is highlighted by the over 6500-year-old Tiger Reed-Pipe Dance, Big Drum Reed-Pipe Dance and Leopard Reed-Pipe Dance. Focusing on reviving the daily life of a tiger, these timeworn primitive dances will mesmerize outsides by their mysterious masks, exotic costumes and bewildering dance steps. The 8th day of the first lunar month will see a solemn rituality performed to invite the God of Tiger by a sorcerer, and eight strong men will be selected to act as tigers. The following week will see a new member join in. These “tigers” will bring happiness and auspiciousness to each household by dancing from one household to the next. What is interesting is that these selected men are forbidden to talk during the week-long festival. With participants amounting to over 50,000, this festival will guide you into a lost hidden world of ancient beliefs. It is time to enjoy Long-Table Banquet, Tiger Worship Ceremony and grand singing and dancing joined by ten thousands of people.
Mar 28th (lunar month)	March Fair(三月会)	On the 28th day of the third lunar month, Yi people in Mouding County, Chuxiong will celebrate March Fair Festival. During daytime, over 100,000 people will throng into the market to trade. At night, Yi people in festival attires will dance the Left Foot Dance accompanied by Er’Hu and Yueqin. This festival will last for three days and nights.
Jun 24th (lunar month)	Torch Festival(火把节)	Torch Festival is the most famous festival of Yi people. This three-day festival is fueled with activities including horse-racing, wrestling, bull fighting, tug-of-war, boat racing and bonfire party.
Oct- Nov (lunar month)	Yi Nationality New Year(彝族十月年)	As the grandest festival of Yi people, it usually kicks off during the tenth to the eleventh lunar month. The first day will see Yi people clean the houses, prepare various food and worship ancestors. The second and third day will see Yi women make pork and sausage while Yi men visit other villagers to sing happy songs. The third day is the day the spirits of their ancestors go back to heaven, so a sumptuous banquet will be prepared to please them. The fourth day will see married women bring basketful of food to pay a visit to their parents. The sixth day will mark an end of their New Year Festival. Except for feasting on supper abundant and diversified food on the long-table banquet, you can also appreciate the grand singing and dancing performed by hundreds or even thousands of Yi people. In the Ancient Town of Yi Nationality(彝人古镇), you will be overwhelmed by their sky-soaring songs, eye-dazzling dances and unrivaled enthusiasm.