The ancient villages in Yunnan have rich ethnic cultural traditions and unique festivals. The following are some representative festivals:
1. Yi Torch Festival: The Yi Torch Festival is a celebration of the Yi people. The most important traditional festival is usually held on the 24th of the sixth lunar month. On this day, the Yi people light torches and parade around the village to pray for light, ward off evil spirits and avoid harm. At the same time, there are also activities such as wrestling, singing and dancing.
2. Hani New Rice Festival: The Hani New Rice Festival is a harvest festival for the Hani people, usually held in the eighth month of the lunar calendar. During the festival, the Hani people will hold sacrifices, singing and dancing, bullfighting and other activities to celebrate the harvest.
3. Bai "March Street": Bai March Street is the grandest folk fair in the Bai area, usually held in the third month of the lunar calendar. During the festival, the Bai people will hold grand singing and dancing, horse racing, bullfighting and other activities to show their national customs.
4. Naxi "Sanduo Festival": The Naxi Sanduo Festival is a festival for the Naxi people to worship the mountain gods and pray for good weather. It is usually held in the fourth month of the lunar calendar. During the festival, the Naxi people will hold sacrifices, singing and dancing, horse racing and other activities to pray for the blessings of the gods.
5. Dai Water Splashing Festival: The Dai Water Splashing Festival is the most solemn festival of the Dai people and is usually held around the Qingming Festival of the lunar calendar. During the festival, Dai people splash water on each other to bless each other, symbolizing washing away the bad luck of the year and welcoming the new year.
6. Dehong Dai Water Splashing Festival: The Dehong Dai Water Splashing Festival is the grandest festival in the Dehong Dai area and is usually held in the third month of the lunar calendar. During the festival, Dai people splash water on each other to bless each other, symbolizing washing away the bad luck of the year and welcoming the new year.
7. "Lahu Torch Festival" of the Lahu people: The Lahu Torch Festival is the most important festival of the Lahu people and is usually held in the sixth month of the lunar calendar. During the festival, the Lahu people light torches and parade around the village to pray for light, ward off evil spirits and avoid harm. At the same time, there are also activities such as wrestling, singing and dancing.
8. Tibetan "Tibetan New Year": Tibetan New Year is the most important festival of the Tibetan people and is usually held in the first month of the Tibetan calendar. During the festival, Tibetans will hold sacrifices, singing and dancing, horse racing and other activities to pray for the blessings of the gods.
These festivals showcase the rich ethnic cultural traditions of Yunnan’s ancient villages and are also a good opportunity for tourists to understand and experience local folk customs.