Chuwa (Kaimen/Opening Door) Festival of Achang Ethnic Minority
Chinese Name:阿昌族出洼节/关门节
English Name: Chuwa (Kaimen/Opening Door) Festival of Achang Ethnic Minority
The Chuwa Festival of the Achang people is held annually on the 15th day of the twelfth month of the Dai calendar. It signifies the departure of the Buddha from the temple and lasts for three days. As the harvest season ends and enters the agricultural off-season, restrictions on activities are lifted, allowing young people to freely enjoy themselves.
Day 1 (15th day): Unmarried young men in the village, adorned with flower paper and playing elephant-foot drums, parade around the village. Meanwhile, elders visit the temple to burn incense and retrieve offerings previously placed behind the Buddha’s statue during the Inwa Festival, symbolizing the Buddha’s departure from the temple.
Day 2 (16th day): The ceremony of the Buddha’s departure is held, where all unmarried young women visit the temple to pay homage to the Buddha.
Day 3 (17th day): Young men and women from each village gather to listen to the Buddha’s teachings. Afterwards, they celebrate with songs and dances, exchanging blessings and congratulations. From this day onward, young men and women are free to court and form romantic relationships, potentially leading to marriage.
The Festival of Emerging from the Lowlands, also known as the “Opening Door Festival,” marks the end of a year-long period of religious seclusion in which people follow strict rules and abstain from worldly pleasures. During this time, they focus on spiritual growth and renewal. The festival lasts for three days and is held to celebrate the harvest and the beginning of a new agricultural cycle.
On the 15th day of the festival, young unmarried men carrying colored paper and playing elephant-foot drums parade through the village, while elderly people visit the Buddhist temple to burn incense and offer sacrifices to the Buddha. This symbolizes the Buddha’s emergence from his seclusion.
On the 16th day, a ceremony is held to officially release the Buddha from his seclusion. All unmarried girls are required to visit the temple to pay their respects to the Buddha.
On the 17th day, young men and women from different villages gather to listen to a sermon by the local Buddhist monk. After the sermon, people celebrate by singing, dancing, and congratulating each other. From this day on, young people are free to pursue romantic relationships and form partnerships.
