Nujiang Festivals and Events

Festivals and activities in Nujiang take an important part in Nujiang travel. Discovering traditional ethnic festivals and activities is an important part of Yunnan travel. As the major minorities inhabited in Nujiang, Lishu, Dulong and Nu formed their distinctive ethnic culture which is also revealed in their ethnic festivals. Here are some major festivals and activities of Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture. They can help you learn more about local ethnic culture.

Festivals in Nujiang

Besides some Chinese traditional festivals, such as New Year's Day (January 1), Spring Festival (usually in late Jan. or early Feb.; January 25, 2020), Lantern Festival (The 15th day of the 1st lunar month), Tomb Sweeping Day (15 days after the Spring equinox; April 4, 2020), Dragon Boat Festival(The 5th day of the 5th lunar month; June 25, 2020) and Mid-Autumn Day (The 15th day of the 8th lunar month; September 13, 2019), there are some ethnic festivals in Nujiang prefecture as well.

Kaquewa Festival(New Year Festival) of Dulong People 卡雀哇节

Kaquewa Festival is the only New Year Festival of Dulong people. It is held during the 11th and 12th lunar months, there is no fixed date and the festivals lasts 3-5 days. Every family hangs up the colored tapestry as festival decoration on the first day. They honor the mountain god and hold shooting competition. On the last day, they hold the most exciting activity- cattle butchering for sacrifice. They keep drinking, singing and dancing until they enjoy themselves to their hearts’ content.

Kuoshi Festival(New Year Festival) of Lisu People 阔时节

The Kuoshi Festival, also the Lisu New Year, is the biggest festival among the Lisu people. Different regions celebrate the festival at different times. Generally, the festival lasts from the 5th day of the 12th lunar month to the 10th day of the 1st lunar month, a period the Lisu people call ‘the Month of Celebration’. During the festival, religious activities of offering sacrifices will be carried out and such amusements as crossbow, dancing, pole climbing and antiphonal-style singing will also be held.

Zaotanghui(Bathing) Festival of Lisu People 澡堂会

The Bathing Gathering, also called ‘Tangquanhui’ 汤泉会, is a yearly bathing gathering held in spring among the Lisu people living in Nujiang. In the period from 2nd to 6th day of the 1st lunar month, the Lisu people will carry with them luggage and food, and go to the hot springs called ‘the 16 Hot Springs in the Valley’ to have a bath for getting rid of a year’s pains and misfortunes. In this spring bathing period, song competitions are also held.

Festival of Climbing Sword-poles (Daogan Festival) of Lisu People刀杆节

It is one of the traditional festivals among the Lisu people, in memory of Wang Ji 王骥, a Defense Minister in the Ming Dynasty. The story goes that during the time when Wang Ji was an officer in command to garrison the frontiers, he and his soldiers fought bravely, daring to climb a mountain of swords and plung into a sea of flames. His courage was highly respected and the date of his death, the 8th of August on the Chinese lunar Calendar, was named the The Festival f Climbing Sword-poles. On that day, the Lisu people hold such activities as climbing sword-poles and plunging into a sea of flames to show their bravery.

Flower Festival of Nu People 鲜花节

It is Nu people’s traditional festival held on the 15th day of the 3rd lunar month when all the mountains are covered with blossomed azaleas. It is said that these azaleas bloom to memorize the beautiful girl called Arong who invented the gilding ropes. There are various interesting recreational activities and market for commodity exchange arranged during the festival.

Table of Ethnic Festivals in Nujiang 

Date Festival  Ethnic Minority
The 8th day of the 2nd lunar month Daogan Festival(刀杆节) Lisu
Around December 24th every year Kuoshi Festival(阔时节) Lisu 
The 24th- 25th day of 6th lunar month Torch Festival Lisu
The 9th or 10th lunar month Shouhuo (Harvest) Festival Lisu
April 16 Easter Day  Lisu 
Dec 25 Christmas Day Lisu 
From 2nd to 6th day of the 1st lunar month Spring Bathing Festival  Lisu
The 4th or 5th Day of the  1st lunar month Sand Burying Lover Festival  Lisu
October Thanksgiving Day  Lisu
The 10th day of the 2nd lunar month Peach Blossom (Taohua) Festival  Nu 
Autumn New Rice (Xinmi) Festival Nu
The 29th day of the 12th lunar month Jigushen Festival Nu 
The 12th lunar month Jijiamu Festival  Nu 
The 12th lunar month to the 10th day of the next 1st lunar month Spring Festival (Jijiamu)  Nu 
March 6 Rumiqi (Kaichun) Festival Nu 
The 15th day of the 3rd lunar month Flowers Festival Nu 
The 7th lunar month Changxin Festival  Pumi
The 15th day of the 7th lunar month Mountain Pilgrimage Festival Pumi
The 6th day of the 12th lunar month Xiaoguonian Festival Pumi
The 29th day of the 12th lunar month to the  7th day of the next 1st lunar month Wuxi Festival or Daguonian Festival Pumi 
The 5th day of the 5th lunar month Valentine’s Day Pumi 
 The 11th or 12th lunar month Kaquewa Festival Dulong
From the 15th to 20th days of the 10th lunar month Harvest Celebration Festival Chashan
March  Shangwang Festival   Bani 

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Activities in Nujiang

Ethnic festivals in Nujiang offer various kinds of recreative activities. During the festivals, you can watch the folk dances and sacrificial ceremonies and listen to the folk songs. The most specific ones should be such activities as climbing sword-poles and butchering a cattle for sacrifice. You will experience the ethnic culture in Nujiang personally. 

Date  Activities Notes
From 2nd to 6th day of the 1st lunar month Spring Bathing Festival  Bathing gathering of Lisu ethnic minority
The day of moving into a new house New House Congratulations (Hexinfang) Ceremoney Celebrating activity of Nu ethnic minority
The 4th or 5th day of the 1st lunar month Mountain Forest Worship (Jishanlin) Festival Sacrificial ceremony of Nu ethnic minority
/ Coming-of-Age Ceremony  Ceremony for teenagers of Pumi ethnic minority
During the festival Sishengbu Choir  Folk song of Lisu ethnic people

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Regional Festivals and Activities

Nujiang Festival Tours

Our Nujiang festival tour will guide you to experience the famous festivals in Nujiang, such as Daogan festival, Kuoshi festival and Harvest festival, to learn and know more about Nujiang culture. We have no specific route yet. But if you plan to start a Nujiang festival tour, please contact our travel consultants, and they will customize an itinerary for you. 

Harvest Celebration Festival of Chashan Ethnic People in Pianma Town of Lushui City, Nujiang

Harvest Celebration Festival of Chashan Ethnic People in Pianma Town of Lushui City, Nujiang

Chinese Name: English Name: Harvest Celebration Festival of Chashan Ethnic People in Pianma Town of Lushui City, Nujiang 片马镇景颇族支系茶山人庆祝丰收的传统节日 每年农历十月十五至二十 茶山人家家户户宰杀猪羊 煮新米饭,祭献天神、铁三角和祖先 亲戚朋友互相轮流请客 品尝新米和米酒 分享一年的劳动成果...

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Sand Burying Lover Festival of Lisu Ethnic Minority in Gongshan County, Nujiang

Sand Burying Lover Festival of Lisu Ethnic Minority in Gongshan County, Nujiang

Chinese Name:怒江贡山县傈僳族江沙埋情人节 English Name: Sand Burying Lover Festival of Lisu Ethnic Minority in Gongshan County, Nujiang “江沙埋情人” 是云南省怒江傈僳族自治州福贡县一带傈僳族青年的传统节日娱乐、求偶活动。每年正月初四、初五左右举行。届时,男女青年们欢聚怒江河畔,歌舞嬉戏。还要在同伴的帮助下,在沙滩上挖出沙坑,将意中人抬入“埋葬”,并装出非常悲伤、痛哭流涕的样子,唱丧歌,跳丧舞。取闹过后,才将意中人拉出。他们认为,通过这一活动,一来表示恋人间感情的真挚与深厚,二来可以将附在意中人身上的“死神”埋掉,使意中人健康长寿。 除此活动外,福贡一带的傈僳族青年还要举行“头顶射鸡蛋的”射弩比赛。比赛时,男青年身背箭包,手持弩弓,自己的心上人头顶扣一碗,碗底上置鸡蛋一枚(或头顶一木碗,碗中盛米、置鸡蛋)为靶,站于几米之外。比赛开始,男青年不慌不忙,拉弦搭箭,扣机击发,只听“啪”的一声,蛋花飞溅,心上人则安然无恙,顿时,场上爆发出一片热烈的掌声。这是一项惊心动魄、扣人心弦的比赛,是比技术、赛胆量、见真情的活动。当然,技术不精的小伙子,宁可射不中鸡蛋,也不会伤了心上人的。...

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Easter Day of Lisu Ethnic Minority

Easter Day of Lisu Ethnic Minority

Chinese Name:傈僳族复活节 English Name: Easter Day of Lisu Ethnic Minority http://www.gospeltimes.cn/index.php/portal/article/index/id/40586...

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Thanksgiving Day of Lisu Ethnic Minority

Thanksgiving Day of Lisu Ethnic Minority

Chinese Name:傈僳族感恩节 English Name: Thanksgiving Day of Lisu Ethnic Minority http://www.gospeltimes.cn/index.php/portal/article/index/id/36744...

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Shouhuo (Harvest) Festival of Lisu Ethnic Minority

Shouhuo (Harvest) Festival of Lisu Ethnic Minority

Chinese Name:傈僳族收获节 English Name: Shouhuo (Harvest) Festival of Lisu Ethnic Minority 僳僳族收获节大都在每年农历九﹑十月间举行。收获节最大的活动是家家都酿酒和尝新,有的人家甚至直接到地里一边收获一边煮酒,并伴以歌舞,常常通宵达旦,尽兴方散。...

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Daogan Festival of Lisu Ethnic Minority

Daogan Festival of Lisu Ethnic Minority

Brief Introduction Daogan Festival (刀杆节) is a traditional festival of Lisu ethnic groups living in Lushui County(泸水县), Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture(怒江傈僳族自治州).Due to the death of the old artists, they were...

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Torch Festival of Lisu Ethnic Minority

Torch Festival of Lisu Ethnic Minority

Chinese Name:傈僳族火把节 English Name:Torch Festival of Lisu Ethnic Minority 傈僳族火把节文化 在每个民族都有着自己民族特色的传统节日,火把节是傈僳族古老而重要的传统节日,它有着深厚的民俗文化。在火把节这一天当地人民聚在一起通过拜火把、点火把、耍火把等活动来预祝五谷丰登、六畜兴旺。想更了解傈僳族的火把节吗? 火把节是德宏傈僳族的传统节日,时间在每年农历六月二十四、二十五日。傈僳族过火把节别有一番情趣,节日这天,寨子里热热闹闹,人们喜笑颜开穿上节日盛装,全家团圆,杀猪宰羊,谈天说地,论古道今,美美地喝着水酒,唱歌跳舞,人人讲团结、家家户户互相祝福。 这天,待到倦鸟归林、夕阳衔山时,人们点起火把从屋里到屋外,从院内到院外熏烧灾虫。火把左右摆动,上下舞动。老年人边舞动火把边念叨:“烧死跳蚤、烧死老鼠、烧死魔鬼、烧死一切害人虫!……”然后,老人又拿着火把去照果树,念道:“开花吧!结果吧!让人们收获吧!”众人同呼:“开花吧!结果吧!花果满山,粮食满仓!”入夜,火塘通明,人们欢欢乐乐跳起芦笙舞、三弦舞。亲亲热热手拉手举行跳戛、唱民间叙事长诗《火把节调》。这个调子也称“半年生产调”,其内容是总结半年生产经验的。这时春播夏收的作物,如荞子、洋芋等等已成熟收进了家。人们唱丰收鼓干劲,翩翩起舞,通宵达旦。...

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Kaquewa Festival of Dulong Ethnic Minority

Kaquewa Festival of Dulong Ethnic Minority

Brief Introduction Kaquewa Festival(卡雀瓦节) of Dulong Ethnic Minority(独龙族) spreads in Dulong villages(独龙寨)in the Dulong River Valley (独龙河流域)in the west of Gongshan Dulong Nu Autonomous County(贡山独龙族怒族自治县), Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture(怒江傈僳族自治州). Kakuwa...

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Peach Blossom (Taohua) Festival of Nu Ethnic Minority

Peach Blossom (Taohua) Festival of Nu Ethnic Minority

Chinese Name:怒族桃花节 English Name:  Peach Blossom (Taohua) Festival of Nu Ethnic Minority 丙中洛位于贡山县城以北44公里处,处于三江并流的腹地,丙中洛坝子是怒江峡谷西岸一个面积较大的台地。总面积为12000多亩,被称之为贡山县的“小粮仓“。坝区四面环山,农田广布,村落毗连,错落有序。坝区的春季是花的世界,桃花、梨花、杜鹃花等奇花异草齐盛开,把整个坝区装扮得美丽鲜艳,夏日更披上了绿茵茵的衣裳,秋天是丰收的金黄色,冬季则白雪皑皑。是一个让人流连忘返的“世外桃源“的田园风光。 这里四面皆为青山环抱,十座高峰被奉为神山。东边是横自怒江峡谷的碧罗雪山,北边是雄伟的石门关峡谷,两边是纵贯怒江峡谷的高黎贡山和著名的卡瓦卡布神山,南边是贡当神山,形成“雪山为城,江河为池“的奇特自然景观。因此有人认为这里才是真正的香格里拉、怒江上的桃花源。 丙中洛还是一个多元宗教、多种民族文化和谐共存和“东西方宗教交融互生”的文化生态园,在东面的同一道山梁上依次座落着普化寺、基督教堂和天主教堂。这里世代生息着怒族、傈僳族、藏族、独龙族等多个少数民族,信奉有藏传佛教、天主教、基督教、原始宗教等多种宗教信仰,长期以来多种宗教在这里并存共处,相融共生,把人与神完美的结合在一起,被称为是“人神共居“的净土。 节日庆典是一个民族或地区自我特点与文化的集中体现,比如说节庆上的歌舞、游戏、比赛、食品等等都是该民族或地区文化的结晶与积淀。 从一个旅游者的角度来看,到一个地方旅游的目的之一就是体验一些与日常生活相异的美。 贡山的民族风情浓郁独特,多姿多彩。独龙族卡雀哇节上的剽牛祭天,刻木结绳作请柬;怒族的仙女节上的接圣水;怒族桃花节上的驱鬼祭谷神求平安,结彩绳绕村庄示吉祥等仪式充满原始宗教的神秘色彩。傈僳族的手抓饭、同心酒;怒族的夏啦、石板粑粑、漆油鸡让人垂涎欲滴;独龙族过藤网桥;傈僳族过溜索等等一切的生活形态都充满了野性而又浓郁的民族风韵,无不使人留恋忘返。 在此要介绍的是在众多的民族节日中,非常有意思古老的怒族桃花节。   就在丙中洛观景台石碑的悬崖壁向下看,也有一个类似怒江第一湾的弯道,被称为怒江第二湾。横架在江上的吊桥连接着两岸。在怒江第二湾的台地上的扎那桶村,房前屋后遍地都是桃树,每到春天,粉红色的桃花似彩霞映红了小岛,加之居住在小岛的怒族群众每年桃花盛开的时节,还保留着古老的桃花节民俗,人们就把扎那桶村称为桃花岛。 届时身着民族盛装的各少数民族和来自四面八方的游客都汇集到扎那桶村,参与隆重的庆祝仪式,一般先由贡山县艺术团和扎那桶村文艺队表演精彩的文艺节目,然后扎那桶村村民举行了传统的念经祭神、结彩绳绕村庄以示吉祥、藏传佛事活动、驱鬼祭天保平安、跳锅庄舞、体育竞技等活动。 据当地老人讲桃花节,主要是祭祀怒族先祖白玛。他们一般用炒面做一个白玛塑像,用鲜艳的桃花装饰,祭祀后扛到当年白玛跳江的地方投入江中。相传怒族只信原始宗教,藏传佛教传入这里后,受他们的极力反抗,怒族先祖白玛曾多次组织人员普化寺喇嘛进行争斗,但每次都以失败而告终。那年二月初十,白玛再次组织人员到普化寺,被喇嘛用芋头打伤,白玛气愤不已,在村子北面跳入怒江,后人为了纪念她,每年的二月初十,都举行仪式祭祀她,时间长了后来就演变成如今的“桃花节”。 过节时大家围在在村中空地上,在一处房檐下,放着事先用青稞面塑好的“桃花神”,老人们诵经吹号,一个中年人站在神像前主持,口中念念有词,每隔一段,会大喊一声,然后把手中的青稞洒上屋顶,如是半个小时后,所有人排队将自己的一样贴身之物,放进供奉神像的木盘中,然后用头触木盘。老乡常用的是头发和烟,或是零钱,所有的人行完礼后,四个男人抬着神像,向村口走出村。 出村后队伍走的并不远,走到小学校背后一块大石上,随着一阵祝词颂毕,几人便将神像掷于石下,然后放了通鞭炮,结束了所有仪式。     据扎那桶的老人讲,这里以前这里是母系制,妇女地位比较高的,当然现在家里是父亲为中心,就像房子中间的支柱(中柱)。但妇女的地位还是比较高的。所以比较特殊的是桃花节也是一种古老的生殖崇拜仪式,而且一年为男性,一年为女性,轮流进行。 一般在过桃花节的那天,村里最有威望的老人在桃树上挂上织布用的工具(即妇女生产做家务时所用的东西)今年就以妇女为中即称为女人节;而挂上男人们所用的砍刀、弩弓等之类的东西就是为男人节。这是非常特殊的古老文化遗存,值得民俗专家和爱好者研究。 今年(2011年) 3月14日的桃花节是女人节,那么明年就是男人节了,很有意思吧。欢迎大家明年农历2月初十到云南怒江贡山丙中洛的扎那桶村参加桃花节。...

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New House Congratulations (Hexinfang) Ceremoney of Nu Ethnic Minority

New House Congratulations (Hexinfang) Ceremoney of Nu Ethnic Minority

Chinese Name:怒族贺新房 English Name:  New House Congratulations (Hexinfang) Ceremoney of Nu Ethnic Minority 贺新房是在木楞房还没有开设门户时举行。主要是先杀鸡,请巫师祭新房然后在木楞房一壁砍开一个洞。同时,村里人带酒肉前来祝贺,饮酒歌舞,通宵达旦。...

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New Rice (Xinmi) Festival of Nu Ethnic Minority

New Rice (Xinmi) Festival of Nu Ethnic Minority

Chinese Name:怒族新米节 English Name: New Rice (Xinmi) Festival of Nu Ethnic Minority 是兰坪一带怒族的传统节日。新米节在每年稻谷成熟时举行。各家各户从熟地里割下一些稻谷,舂成米,并杀一只鸡,做一顿新米饭,先将鸡肉和米饭给狗吃然后全家再吃新米饭。...

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Mountain Forest Worship (Jishanlin) Festival of Nu Ethnic Minority

Mountain Forest Worship (Jishanlin) Festival of Nu Ethnic Minority

Chinese Name:怒族祭山林节 English Name: Mountain Forest Worship (Jishanlin) Festival of Nu Ethnic Minority 祭山林一般在正月初四五举行。此项活动只限于男性参加,牺牲为黑羊。此外,柔若人的贺新房也很有特点。当木楞房的四壁还没有开设门窗时,主人要杀只鸡,请巫师祭新房,后用斧头在木楞房的一壁砍出个洞,装上门。当天,村里人都主动带着鸡、酒、肉前来祝贺,饮酒,欢歌跳舞,通宵达旦。...

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