Baba Festival of Taliu Ethnic People in Yongsheng County, Lijiang

Chinese Name:永胜县他留粑粑节

English Name: Baba Festival of Taliu Ethnic People in Yongsheng County, Lijiang

Location: Yongsheng County, Lijiang, China

The Baba Festival (粑粑节) is a grand celebration held annually by the Taliu ethnic group (他留族) in Yongsheng County (永胜县), located in the Lijiang (丽江) area. It is a vibrant cultural event that coincides with the Torch Festival celebrations in other parts of the province. The Baba Festival takes place on the slopes of Taliu Mountain (他留山) in Liude Township (六德乡), bringing together Taliu families to honor their ancestors and celebrate their heritage.

Festival Origin and Significance

The Baba Festival dates back to ancient times. Legend has it that the ancestors of the Taliu people established this festival during their long migration and settlement journey. It is meant to show gratitude to nature’s gifts and to the protection of their ancestors.

Over time, the festival has evolved from a simple ritual into a grand celebration that includes ancestral worship, songs, dances, and community activities. Baba cakes (粑粑), the key offering, are crafted with great care and served to honor the spirits of the ancestors.

For the Taliu people, the Baba Festival is more than just a celebration; it is a vital cultural event that reinforces their community bonds, keeps traditions alive, and ensures the remembrance of their ancestors’ sacrifices.

The Taliu Baba Festival is an annual traditional event celebrated by the Taliu people, a branch of the Yi ethnic group. Recently, the 2023 Taliu Baba Festival, themed “Vibrant Yongsheng · Waiting for You at Taliu Mountain,” commenced in the beautiful and mysterious Taliu Mountain of Liude Lisu-Yi Township, Yongsheng County. The event was attended by notable county leaders including Deputy Secretary of the Yongsheng County Party Committee Zhou Bangyou, Director of the Yongsheng County People’s Congress Standing Committee Yang Jianlong, Chairman of the Yongsheng County Political Consultative Conference Lu Zhizhong, Member of the Standing Committee and Minister of the Propaganda Department of the Yongsheng County Party Committee Li Yingyun, and Member of the Standing Committee and Minister of the United Front Work Department of the Yongsheng County Party Committee Zhu Qiangwei.

Festival Details

Festival Dates and Location

Date: The festival takes place annually on the 24th day of the 6th lunar month (in 2025, this will be from July 19th to 21st).

Location: The festival is celebrated in the core area of Taliu Mountain (他留山), within Liude Township (六德乡), Yongsheng County (永胜县), including villages such as Yingshan Village (营山村) and Shuanghe Village (双河村).

Nature of the Festival

The Baba Festival is the grandest annual ancestral worship event of the Taliu ethnic group (彝族他留人), combining elements of cultural heritage and ethnic unity.

It serves as a platform for cultural preservation and community engagement.

Core Rituals

Ancestral Worship Preparation

Baba Cake Creation: Each household prepares a 12-layer (13 in leap years) tower of sticky rice Baba cakes, symbolizing the 360 households that established the community.

Altar Construction: The altar is built using 360 pine branches, symbolizing the labor of ancestors. The ceremony is overseen by the Duo Xi (铎系), the high priest.

Ritual Process

Collective Offering: On the day of the festival, 360 villagers, dressed in traditional attire, line up to offer their Baba cakes at the ancestral hall. The Duo Xi chants the “Mizhi Sutra” (密枝经) as part of the offering.

Animal Sacrifice: A white sheep or pig is sacrificed, and prayers are made for good harvests and the well-being of both people and animals.

Taboos: While women can participate in the festival’s public celebrations, the core ancestral rituals are led by men.

Symbolism

The Baba cake towers symbolize the continuity of family heritage and community.

The pine branches used for the altar represent the pioneering spirit of the ancestors who tamed the land.

Event Highlights:

The festival began with a collective ancestor worship ceremony performed by the Taliu people. Led by the Taliu priest (Duoxi), 360 participants dressed in their finest traditional attire offered baba (a type of traditional bread) to their ancestors, expressing deep reverence and remembrance through ancient chants.

The cultural performances were divided into three chapters: “Vibrant Yongsheng, Waiting for You at Taliu Mountain,” “Exploring the Ancient and Mysterious Taliu Village,” and “The Fragrance of Baba on Taliu Mountain.”

Cultural Performances:

Taliu Dance Performances: The Taliu dances “Joyful Baba Festival” and “Happy Hejiaotiao” showcased the lively and rich cultural heritage of the Taliu people.

Musical Performances: The small chorus “Taliu Girl” and the gourd flute ensemble added to the festive atmosphere.

Traditional Crafts: The Taliu hemp weaving exhibition displayed the traditional skills and crafts of the Taliu people.

Ethnic Dances and Music: The event also featured performances from other ethnic groups, including Lisu, Yi, and Tibetan dances, and a piano-pipa duet, which were met with enthusiastic applause from the audience.

The highlight of the event was the ethnic unity dance “Dadajiao,” where performers, guests, and spectators joined hands to sing and dance together, symbolizing the unity and collective spirit of the people of Yongsheng. This performance vividly illustrated the harmonious and supportive relationship among the various ethnic groups in the region, painting a picture of shared prosperity and progress.

Special Activities and Highlights

Folk Experience Activities

Agricultural Competitions: Engage in activities such as fire grass peeling, black chicken catching, and fishing in rice fields.

Intangible Cultural Heritage Displays: Witness traditional crafts such as fire grass weaving and Duo Xi characters.

Cultural Performances

A live performance of the musical drama “The Taliu People” (《他留人》) will recreate scenes of marriage and ancestral worship traditions.

Various ethnic groups will participate in the grand “Big Dance” (大打跳) to celebrate ethnic unity and harmony.

New Highlights in 2025

New Theme Activities: The festival will introduce a Taliu Black Chicken Beauty Contest and a Chinese National Community Awareness Quiz.

Cultural and Tourism Integration: The event will also feature a local product exhibition, promoting the sale of unique agricultural products.

Participation Guide

Travel Information

Getting There: It is approximately a 4-hour drive from Kunming (昆明) to Taliu Mountain. The Li-Pan Highway (丽攀公路) connects Yongsheng to the festival site.

Important Notes for Visitors

The ancestral ritual ceremonies are solemn, and visitors should maintain quiet and show respect during these moments.

Folk experience activities require prior registration, so be sure to sign up in advance if you wish to participate in any hands-on events.

Additional Information

2025 Festival Dates: The festival will be held from July 26th to 28th, 2025, with the theme “Vibrant Yongsheng, I’m Waiting for You in Taliu Mountain”.

The festival is organized by the Liude Township government (六德乡政府).

Awards and Exhibitions:

During the opening ceremony, county leaders awarded winners of the Taliu Black-bone Chicken Beauty Contest. The festival also included a showcase of specialty agricultural products, highlighting the region’s unique offerings.

Festival Goals:

The Taliu Baba Festival aims to promote interaction and integration among different ethnic groups, fostering a strong sense of the Chinese national community. It also seeks to drive the economic and social development of Liude Township, enhance the visibility and influence of Taliu culture, and contribute to the cultural and tourism development of Yongsheng County. The festival embodies the principles of “Culture for the People, Culture Benefiting the People, Culture Enriching the People, and Culture Educating the People,” reflecting the unity and progress of all ethnic groups in Yongsheng. By doing so, it strengthens the collective gratitude, loyalty, and support towards the Communist Party, promoting ethnic unity and a shared commitment to development.