Yunnan Festivals

Being the most ethnically varied province in China , Yunnan is well known for the different types of festivals celebrated in the region. Though different ethnic groups might celebrate different festivals, there are some festivals are shared among some various ethnic groups. Festivals are generally celebrated for different purposes, such as for Religious celebration, for Commemoration , for farming activities, or for social activities and amusement. Sometimes one festival could be celebrated for different purposes by different ethnic groups. Below is the list of festivals that are celebrated in Yunnan .

Torch Festival

The Torch Festival is an important festival that is celebrated by different ethnic groups, such as Yi, Bai, Naxi, Hani, Lisu, and Pumi. It is celebrated to wish for good harvest and prosperity on 24th day of the 6th month in Chinese lunar calendar. This day has been kept by Yi ethnic group as the last day of a year, just as New Year's Eve for majority of Chinese (Han). The legends about the origin of the Torch Festival vary among different ethnic groups, and also differ among different branches of the same ethnic group. . For example, the origin of the Torch Festival for Yi people came from the celebration of defeating the crop-eating insects that were sent by the celestial king in the legend, while Bai people celebrate it in the memory of the Lady of Benevolence in the legend of Burning Songming Building .

Bonfires were prepared, torches were burn, and people get together drinking, butchering, wrestling, horse-racing, singing, and dancing… The celebration lasts for about three days. The Torch Festival is one of the most wide-spread traditions among different ethnic groups in Yunnan and continues from generation to generation.

Third Month Fair

The Third Month Fair is also known as “Goddess of Mercy Fair” or “Guanyin Fair”. It is a renowned traditional commodity fair, which begins on the 15 th day of the third month in Chinese lunar calendar and lasts for seven to ten days. It is an important festival for Bai ethnic group in Dali , Yunnan . Legend has that the Goddess of Mercy (Guanyin) landed at Dali to bestow Buddhist doctrine on the 15 th day of the third lunar month in ancient time. It is now an important ethnically featured fair for trade and commodity exchange. Many nearby ethnic groups such as Han, Yi, Naxi, Tibetan, Lisu, and Hui join Bai people to celebrate the festival. It attracts many merchants. Left-foot dance, greased-pole climbing, horse race are some of the fold activities can be seen for the festival.

Water Splashing Festival

The Water Splashing Festival is the grandest traditional festival of Dai ethnic group. It is the New Year's Day in Dai calendar. It is also celebrated in other ethnic groups in Yunnan , such as Bulang, De'ang, and A'chang, etc. The festival was originated from India and spread to Yunnan along with Southern Buddhism of Theravada. But Dai has their own interesting legend about the Water Splashing Festival. Legend has it that there was an evil weather god who brought disaster and suffering to Dai people. Seven women whom he forced to marry to him stood up and cut off his head. The evil head set ablaze whenever it landed on ground. The seven women had to hold the head in turn until it got rotten. When they switch turns they splashed water onto each other to wash away the blood and filth. Thus the Water Splashing Festival has been a tradition that continues for generations to commemorate the courage of those women who brought peace and new life to Dai people.

The Water Splashing Festival is held at the end of the 6 th month to the beginning of the 7 th month in Dai's calendar, which usually falls in April in solar calendar, around the Pure Brightness Festival day in Chinese lunar calendar. The festival lasts fro about 3 to five days. Water splashing, dragon boat-racing, bamboo fireworks, displaying lanterns, singing, and dancing are just some of the activities to name.

Sanduo Festival

The Sanduo Festival is a unique traditional festival for the Naxi ethnic group. The festival is held on the 8 th of the second month of Chinese lunar calendar. At this time of the year, Naxi people gather at the Sanduo Temple (also known as Beiyue Temple ) located in Baisha, Lijiang for a grand memorial and scarified ceremony. For those who could not come, the ceremonies would be held in their local Sanduo temples.

Sanduo has been worshipped as a patron god of the Naxi people for hundreds of thousands of years. According to legend, there was a brave Naxi hunter who found no rival in strength. He discovered a strange white rock in the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain during hunting and attempted to carry it home. The white rock grew heavier and heavier that he had to stop and put the rock down for a rest near Yulong Village in Baisha, Lijiang. When he decided to continue the trip, he could no longer lift the rock. People believe that this rock is the embodiment of the mountain god. Naxi people built a temple to honor this god, whose name is Sanduo. Sanduo is depicted as an immortal spirit in a white armor with a white spear riding a white horse that protects Naxi people and their land. Naxi people have lived at the foot of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain for generations. Sanduo Festival is a way that Naxi people warship the spirit of their sacred mountain and wish for a promising life.

Munao Zongge Dance Festival

Munao Zongge means “Let's dance together” in Jingpo language. Munao Zongge Dance Festival is a great traditional festival for Jingpo ethnic group. It is held on the 15 th to 17 th day of the first month of Chinese lunar calendar. Being one of the greatest collective dances in the world, it is truly a spectacular scene for people to participate and enjoy. According to legend, the earth was once a silence place without much joy, while the solar palace was full of joyful singing and dancing. One day all the birds were invited for a party in the solar palace. Lead by the peacock, the birds brought back “Munao Zongge” – the secret of the joy. Ancestors of Jingpo learn it and people live prosperous and happy afterwards.

During the festival, the large-scale Munao Zongge gala is held at the large Munao Zongge Square . On the center of the dance square stands the Munao Pole, the sign of the festival. Lead by the leading dancers called “Naoshuang”, men have long swords in their hand while women carry colorful fans and handkerchiefs, hundreds of thousands of dancers dance together to the lively rhythms of drums, gongs, and Lusheng pipes.

Other Festivals and Events

There are other traditional festivals that are celebrated in Yunnan ethnic groups, such as the Sword Pole Festival of the Lisu, Flower Mountain (Huashan) Festival of the Miao, Flower-picking Festival of the Yi and Lahu, etc.

One of the big events that are worth mentioning here is the Kunming International Tourist Festival that takes place between April and May annually. This event brings foreign tourists from all over the world to experience the oriental style celebration. Stone Forest tour, The Stone Forest torch Carnival, Daquan Lake Park tour, Green Lake Park tour, Night market, horticulture exhibition, food tasting festivals are just some of the activities to name.

For more information about traditional Chinese festival, please visit Chinese Festival session.