Baba Festival of Taliu Ethnic People in Yongsheng County, Lijiang

Overview

  • 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

Taliu ethnic group is branch of Yi ethnic nationality. Taliu people don’t celebrate the Torch Festival rather than Baba Festival on 24th June every year. This is the Taliu’s special part also the basic reason they call themself “Taliu”.

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.

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.

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.