Festivals

Date:The Torch Festival is usually held on the 24th day of the sixth lunar month. The specific date
may vary slightly from region to region, but it is usually held during this period. The Torch Festival is one of the
important traditional festivals of ethnic minorities such as the Yi people, especially in the Yi areas of Yunnan,
Sichuan, Guizhou and Guangxi.

Overview:The Torch Festival is a traditional festival for the Yi people to celebrate the harvest and
pray for peace and happiness. The iconic event of the festival is the burning of huge torches, which symbolizes the
expulsion of evil and misfortune and the welcoming of happiness and light. The celebrations of the Torch Festival
are rich and colorful, covering traditional songs and dances, competitive games, food feasts, etc., showing the
unique culture and national spirit of the Yi people.

Origin of the Torch Festival

The origin of the Torch Festival is related to the ancient beliefs and religious sacrificial activities of the Yi
people. According to legend, the Torch Festival was originally intended to expel plague and evil spirits and bless
the peace and harvest of the village. Torches are symbols of light and strength. Lighting torches represents
expelling darkness and welcoming new life and good luck. As time goes by, the Torch Festival has gradually evolved
into a celebration that includes sacrifices, singing and dancing, and competitions, becoming one of the most
important traditional festivals of the Yi people.

Main Activities of the Torch Festival

• Burning Torches:The most distinctive activity of the Torch Festival is burning huge torches.
  Villagers light torches and carry them in a parade on the square or street, symbolizing exorcism and prayers for
  peace. The size and number of torches are usually amazing, and the atmosphere is very warm.
• Singing and Dancing Performances:During the Torch Festival, the Yi people will hold a variety
  of singing and dancing performances, including the traditional “torch dance” and “Yi big song”. People wear
  festive ethnic costumes, hold torches, and dance happily to the sound of drums and songs to express their
  gratitude and admiration for nature and gods.
• Traditional competitions:During the festival, the Torch Festival will also hold various
  traditional competitions, such as wrestling, horse racing, archery, etc., to show the strength and courage of
  the Yi people. The competition scene is warm and the atmosphere is high, reflecting the sportsmanship and
  national confidence of the Yi people.
• Food feast:During the Torch Festival, the Yi people will prepare rich traditional food, such as
  rice wine, bacon, jelly, pickled vegetables, roasted whole lamb, etc., for relatives and friends to share, enhancing
  the festive atmosphere of the festival.
• Sacrificial activities:In many areas, the Torch Festival will also hold sacrificial activities
  to worship mountain gods, river gods and ancestors, in order to pray for a good harvest and family peace in the
  coming year. Sacrificial activities usually include burning incense, offering, and blessing, expressing respect
  for nature and ancestors.
• Folk dance and performance: In addition to traditional singing and dancing performances, there
  will be a wealth of folk art performances during the Torch Festival, such as acrobatics, opera, dragon and lion
  dances, etc., showing the unique charm of local folk art.

The cultural significance of the Torch Festival

The Torch Festival is not only a representative of Yi culture, but also a festival with profound cultural
connotations. Through the burning of torches, singing and dancing performances, and competitive competitions, the
Torch Festival shows the Yi people’s reverence for nature and gods, and also reflects their national spirit of
unity, courage, and pursuit of happiness.

In modern society, the Torch Festival is not only a traditional festival of the Yi people, but also a national
cultural tourism resource. By attracting tourists to participate in celebrations, the Torch Festival provides a
window for the outside world to understand Yi culture, and also promotes the protection and inheritance of Yi
traditional culture.