Mile Festivals and Events
Mile City is dominated by Han nationality and ethnic minorities make up about 43.9% of the whole population. Ethnic minorities include Yi, Hui, Dai, Miao and Zhuang, etc, living in Mile for generations. Each ethnic group in Mile created its own festivals. Here below are some festivals and activities in Mile.
1. Huashan Festival of Miao Minority花山节
Every year, the second day of Lunar January is the traditional festival of Miao people, Huashan Festival, also known as "Caihuashan". Flower pole is the significant symbol of the festival. On this day, Miao people wear traditional costume, perform Lusheng(芦笙表演) and choose the king of flower pole.
2. Dragon Worship (Jilong) Festival of Azhe Ethnic People阿哲人祭龙节
Taowa Village is located in Xunjiansi Town of Mile City in Honghe Prefecture, in which there is a branch of Yi people----Azhe People. Every year, on the first day of the 2nd lunar month, Taowa Village will hold dragon worship ceremony. Dragon worship activity is distinct, Azhe People dress themselves as the appearance of primitive savages. Dragon worship is not merely the time for Yi people to pray for reproduction, but enter on a year's spring plowing and sowing.
3. The Fire Worship Festival of Axi Ethnic People阿细祭火节
Every year, on the 3rd day of the 2nd lunar month, in Hongwan Village红万村 of Xiyi Town in Mile City, Yi Axi People will celebrate Fire Worship Festival. This is a mysterious celebration that show respect for fire. It is also an ancient tradition handed down by forefathers, and has a history of nearly one thousand years.
4. Aizuo & Aisha Song and Dance Art Festival彝族爱佐与爱莎歌舞艺术节
In 2006, Gaodian高甸 of Xunjiansi Town in Mile City became the first batch of intangible cultural heritage reserves in Yunnan Province. In 2000, Aizuo & Aisha Song and Dance Art Festival was firstly started. Xunjiansi Town and Wushan Township in Mile are the areas inhabited by Azhe People, whose branch has a population of about 32,000 people. They are the places where Aizuo and Aisha, the longest creation epic of Yi minority, is handed down.
5. The Grape Harvest Festival葡萄节
Mile is called "Hometown of Highland Grape" and "Ten Thousand Mu Grapery", with the famous wine brand "Yunnan Red". In July, when grapes are ripen, Mile will hold the Grape Festival, where visitor can experience local folk culture and custom, enjoy singing and dancing performance and taste fresh grape.
6. Axi Tiaoyue Dance Festival 阿细跳月节
It is celebrated by Axi people(a Yi branch) in April 8th. Axi Tiaoyue is the most pervasive and proudest folk dance of Axi people, the essential dance when holding various ceremonies, and also a important medium of Axi people’s entertainment, communication and mate selection. It is divided into the elder dance and the youth dance.
7. Mile Traditional Food Festival
Every August, Mile will hold the traditional food festival. Cateshows, like tea art, food and cuisines, attract a lot of citizens and tourists to taste and buy.
8. Torch Festival of Yi Ethnic Minority
It is the grandest festival of Yi people. Every year on the 24th day of the 6th lunar month, Yi villages are all to prepare a big feast and have a joyous gathering. At night, villagers light their torches and shout to march through the field. It means scaring away the devil and welcoming the harvest.
9. Bull Fighting Activities
Every August, thousands of Yi people and tourists come to watch Axi Tiaoyue Festival bullfight activity in Xisan Town西三镇 of Mile City. Bullfight has a long history of nearly thousand years in Yunnan Yi region. When celebrating festivals and important festival activities, people in villages or townships will hold bullfight competition.
More Entertainments in Mile City.
