Daogan Festival in Jinlan Village of Yongsheng County, Lijiang

Overview of the Festival

• Chinese Name:永胜县程海镇金兰村彝族刀杆节
• English Name: Daogan Festival in Jinlan Village of Yongsheng County, Lijiang

Jinlan Village belongs to the Heikou Village Committee of Chenghai Town, Yongsheng County. Located on the eastern slope of Baiyun Mountain and the western shore of Chenghai Lake, it is a picturesque place blessed with favorable natural surroundings. According to Qing Dynasty inscriptions on the “Xingzhi Pilu” stele, the village was formerly known as Junzaolang, and according to the Republican era “Yongchui Qianqiu” stele, it was called Chengjinzaolang. Locally, it is commonly referred to as Gezhaolan (Lang). The official name “Jinlan Village” was adopted in 1951. “Jinlan” originally refers to strong and harmonious friendship, derived from the “I Ching”: “When two people are of one mind, their strength can cut through metal; when they speak with one voice, their words are fragrant like orchids.” The idiom “Yijie Jinlan” means a friendship as close as that between siblings. The name “Jinlan Village” aptly captures this spirit.

Daoganjie (Knife Pole Festival):

The Daoganjie (Knife Pole Festival) in Jinlan Village is a traditional festival of the indigenous Yi people, held annually on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. The festival is named after the “climbing knife ladder” (commonly known as “ascending the knife mountain”) activity held during this period.

The Daoganjie activities take place at the village temple. Before the festival, villagers erect two 14-meter-high poles in the temple courtyard, secured with multiple ropes adorned with colorful flags. A total of 36 sharp steel knives, with their edges facing upwards, are fastened to the poles, serving as steps for climbing. The space between the poles is 34 cm wide, and the knives are spaced 36 cm apart. At the base of the poles, 33 bowls (representing the 33 families at the festival’s inception) are placed, 36 colorful flags are inserted, and 36 incense sticks are lit. On the day of the festival, performers climb the knife pole barefoot and, after descending, walk over two red-hot plowshares placed at the base.

The Daoganjie in Jinlan Village is both a demonstration of climbing skills and a local Yi folk activity. Currently, it is the most grandly celebrated traditional festival in the village. Villagers, regardless of how far they are, return home for the festival. The most thrilling performance of the festival is the “ascending the knife mountain, descending the sea of fire.” While this activity is often performed by men in other parts of Yunnan, in Jinlan Village, Yi women also participate in climbing the knife pole and walking through fire.

Ecological Protection and Nature Worship:

Jinlan villagers adhere to a belief in nature worship, viewing humans and nature as a life community. They emphasize respecting, conforming to, and protecting nature, and practice self-restraint in resource exploitation. This belief has made Jinlan Village the best-preserved ecological environment along the shores of Chenghai Lake. The village retains dozens of ancient trees and vast areas of primeval forest. The Baiyun Mountain behind the village still hosts a pristine forest, complete with “Shuidonggua” (water-retaining trees) and other rainforest wonders, as well as clear springs and waterfalls. The springs, located deep in the mountain’s forest, are referred to by villagers as the Dragon Cave and Sacred Spring, considered a natural sanctuary for the Yi people of Jinlan. The Dragon Cave spring is the largest natural water source for Chenghai Lake, earning it the title “First Source of Chenghai.” In 2001, Jinlan Village built the Dragon Cave Power Station here, with a designed flow of 0.2 cubic meters per second and an installed capacity of 34 kilowatts, thus ending the village’s history without electricity.

Economy and Development:

Jinlan Village sits at an average altitude of 1,550 meters, with a mild climate, an average annual temperature of 18.4°C, and an annual rainfall of 731 mm, making it rich in agricultural produce, especially terraced rice. The village has 460 mu of arable land and 9,100 mu of forest land. Its main economic activities include fishing, farming, livestock breeding, and labor export. In recent years, Jinlan Village has achieved significant results through the development of forest fruit economy and the protection of the Chenghai ecological environment. Yongsheng Chuangyi Industry and Trade Co., Ltd. has invested heavily in the village’s eastern 70 mu of land, establishing an artificial breeding base for indigenous fish of Chenghai, planting over 3,000 longan trees, and successfully breeding endangered native fish species. This contributes significantly to the scientific and standardized process of Chenghai ecological protection.

Culture and Tourism:

South of Jinlan Village, at the foot of Baiyun Mountain, lies Baiyun Temple, built during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, making Jinlan Village a popular tourist destination. The preservation of traditional culture and unique natural landscapes has made Jinlan Village a place where the diverse cultures of Yunnan converge.

Through natural protection, the inheritance of traditional festivals, and economic development, Jinlan Village has achieved a harmonious balance between ecology and economy, becoming a shining gem along the shores of Chenghai Lake.