Bangbanghui Festival of Naxi Ethnic Minority

Chinese Name: 纳西族棒棒会/弥老会/米拉会
English Name: Bangbanghui Festival of Naxi Ethnic Minority

The Bangbanghui Festival (棒棒会) is a traditional celebration of the Naxi ethnic minority (纳西族), held annually on the 15th day of the 1st lunar month. This festival marks the end of the Spring Festival (春节) and the beginning of spring plowing (春耕). It has evolved from the Buddhist “Mila Festival” (弥老会) and has developed into a significant event for trading agricultural tools, flowers, and fruit trees.

Overview

Dates and Origins

Dates: The festival occurs on the 15th day of the 1st lunar month (For 2025, this will be February 12th). Some celebrations extend until the 18th or beyond.

Alternate Names: The festival is also known as Agricultural Tools Festival (农具会), Mila Festival (弥勒会), and Mira Festival (米拉会).

Inclusion in Heritage: In 2016, the festival was added to Lijiang’s (丽江) Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

Core Significance: The festival marks the transition from the Spring Festival to the beginning of spring farming, combining agricultural tool trading, prayers for good harvests, and cultural heritage preservation.

Key Highlights for 2025

Main Venues and Dates

Jiahecheng Venue (嘉和城): From February 10th to 14th, with a focus on traditional agricultural tools and flower trading.

Zhongji Hai Park Venue (中济海公园): From February 1st to March 7th, with added Southeast Asian goods exhibitions and a food festival.

Zhaoqing Market Venue (昭庆市场): From February 9th to 15th, integrating root sculptures, medicinal herbs, and other modern goods.

Special Activities

Traditional Trading: Exhibitions of agricultural tools such as hoe handles, bamboo tools, and other farming implements, preserving the memory of farming civilization.

Modern Expansion: The market now features flower pots, fruit tree saplings, and cultural products.

Cultural Experiences: The Dongba prayer ceremony (东巴祈福), traditional Naxi dance (纳西打跳) and singing, as well as a Long Street Feast (长街宴), showcasing local cuisine.

Cultural Significance

Historical Origins

The festival originated from the Mila Festival (弥老会), a Buddhist event held in the Yuhu Temple (玉皇阁) during the reign of Emperor Yongzheng (雍正) in the Qing Dynasty. Over time, it transformed into a fair for trading agricultural tools and bamboo/wooden goods.

Another version of the origin links the festival to the Naxi people’s (纳西族) resistance against the Mu family rule (木土司). According to the legend, the Naxi people (纳西族) protested against the oppression by the Mu family (木氏家族) during the 15th day of the 1st lunar month, symbolizing defiance through the carrying of agricultural tools like axes, hoes, and bamboo sticks to Lijiang (丽江).

Ecological and Social Values

The festival reflects the Naxi people (纳西族)’s traditional value of “harmonious coexistence with nature” (人与自然和谐), as well as the importance of farming in their daily life.

Travel Tips

Recommended Locations for the Festival

Lijiang Ancient Town (丽江古城) – Key venues include the Zhaoqing Flower and Bird Market (昭庆花鸟市场), Elephant Mountain Market (象山市场), and Xiangjiang Garden Market (香江花园市场).

Zhaoqing Market (昭庆市场) – Where visitors can experience the vibrant atmosphere of the festival with a wide range of agricultural tools, flowers, and local crafts.

Travel Advice

Transportation: The main venues are concentrated in Lijiang Ancient Town (丽江古城) and surrounding markets. It’s advisable to walk or take public transport for easier access.

Etiquette: Avoid stepping on the ash from torches and maintain a quiet demeanor during the Dongba prayer ceremony (东巴仪式).

Festival Activities

The Bangbanghui Festival (棒棒会) is celebrated each year on the 15th day of the 1st lunar month in Lijiang (丽江). It has its roots in Buddhist customs, where Lama monks (喇嘛) perform rituals and villagers make offerings to Maitreya Buddha (弥勒佛). Over time, the festival evolved into a marketplace for agricultural tools and bamboo/wooden goods, which led to the current form of the Bangbanghui Festival (棒棒会). The event marks the end of the Spring Festival and the beginning of spring plowing (春耕). It was initially held in temples and later moved to the ancient town of Lijiang (丽江), expanding to include the trade of agricultural tools, fruit tree saplings, and flowers.

Main Venues for the Festival

The Bangbanghui Festival (棒棒会) takes place annually on the 15th day of the 1st lunar month in Lijiang Ancient Town (丽江大研古城). The area around Zhaoqing Flower and Bird Market (昭庆花鸟市场), Elephant Mountain Market (象山市场), and Xiangjiang Garden Market (香江花园市场) is bustling with crowds. In addition to agricultural tools, there are numerous stalls selling flowers, fruit tree saplings, and local delicacies. The festival marks the end of Chinese New Year celebrations and the beginning of spring farming activities.