Dai Water Splashing Festival
It is Dai’s new year according to Dai’s calendar and is Dai’s most impressive and solemn festival, which is held on April 13-15, On the festival, people dust the Buddha statues and bless each other by splashing water. Other activities include dragon-boat race, throwing pouches, fire lanterns and water lanterns, ect.
Torch Festival of Yi People
Yis’ Torch festival is usually celebrated on the 24th of 6th lunar monthe each year, which is Yis’ most impressive celebration. During the festival, torches are erected in front of houses. At the entrance to the villages, a grand "torch tower," made of pine branches and dry firewood and standing more than 20 meters high, is decorated with fresh flowers and fruits. At last, the long-awaited moment comes. After dinner, as darkness casts its shadow, young and old, wearing their most ceremonial attire, rush excitedly to the "torch tower" square. Cheers and screams of delight burst from the lips of the excited crowd, while the soaring flames brighten the darkness of the night and warm everyone's heart. It really is an amazing sight the torches are as numerous as there are stars in the sky. On such a brilliant night, all the participants are intoxicated by the grand spectacle and the atmosphere of celebration. Dressed in splendid costumes bedecked with sparkling ornaments, young men and women sing and dance hand in hand around the bonfire to express their gratitude for a life of plenty and good wishes for the coming year.
Third Month Fair Festival: The Bai minority mainly inhabit in Dali Autonomous Prefecture which is located in northwest Yunnan. The Third Fair held in Dali each year is the grandest traditional event of the ethnic Bai people at which material and cultural exchanges are carried out. The festival starts on the 15th day and ends on the 21st day of the 3rd Month each year on the lunar calendar. Activities held during the grand event include song and dance performances by the ethnic Bai people, dragon dance, horse races and antiphonal mountain songs meet. At the same time, big fairs for exchanging local and special products are held. |
