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

• Chinese Name: 片马镇景颇族支系茶山人丰收节/新米节
• English Name: Harvest Celebration Festival of Chashan Ethnic People in Pianma Town of Lushui City, Nujiang
• Location: Pianma Town of Lushui City, Nujiang
• Time: From the 15th to the 20th day of the 10th month of the lunar calendar every year

The New Rice Festival (新米节) of the Chashan Ethnic People (茶山人) in Pianma Town (片马镇), Lushui City (泸水市), Nujiang (怒江), is a traditional harvest celebration held annually to honor the new rice harvest. This festival, known as “Gusaizuo” (谷赛左), meaning “tasting the new rice,” typically takes place in October of the lunar calendar (around November in the Gregorian calendar), with the 2023 event scheduled for November 26-27.

This festival is combined with the Muna Zongge (目瑙纵歌) – a traditional collective song and dance celebration of the Jingpo people (景颇族), creating a vibrant and joyous cultural experience.

Core Activities of the Festival

1. New Rice Ceremony

The festival begins with the harvest of the earliest rice of the season. After the rice is harvested and prepared as new rice, a ritual ceremony is held. Offerings of rice, cakes, water wine, and dried fish are placed on the altar table. The ceremony is presided over by an elder who leads the prayers, thanking the rice spirits and ancestors, and praying for a prosperous harvest in the coming year.

2. Traditional Feasts

• Hand-held Rice: The traditional way of eating rice is by laying banana leaves on the table, serving new rice, roasted meat, and pickled vegetables. Tourists can experience this ancient method of eating.

• Chicken Rice: A special Jingpo dish served during the festival.

• Big Pot Rice: For visitors not accustomed to hand-held meals, a traditional pot rice is served.

3. Song and Dance Celebration

• Muna Zongge: Thousands of people gather to form a circle and perform a collective dance, accompanied by elephant-foot drums and gongs, symbolizing the unity of the ethnic group.

• Welcome Party Performances: Folk songs and dances such as the “Canyon Joyous Song” (峡谷欢歌) are performed to welcome guests and celebrate the harvest.

Modern Adaptations of the Festival

1. Integration with Tourism

As Pianma Town (片马镇) is known as the “Gateway Village” to China, the New Rice Festival has been integrated into the region’s tourism efforts. Visitors are invited to participate in the rituals, enjoy the delicious food, and take photos to commemorate the experience.

2. Expanded Activities

The festival now includes a variety of modern sports competitions, such as basketball and tug-of-war, adding even more fun and excitement to the traditional festivities.

Origin and Significance of the New Rice Festival

Harvest and Gratitude

The New Rice Festival marks the arrival of the harvest season in Nujiang (怒江). The fields of golden rice shimmer under the blue sky, symbolizing the hard work of the Jingpo people (景颇族) and their deep connection with the land. The festival is a celebration of gratitude for the harvest and a hope for continued prosperity in the coming year.

Traditional Rituals and Activities

Preparation and Feast

In preparation for the festival, families work together to harvest the best rice from their fields, dry it, and grind it into flour for making traditional rice cakes. On the day of the festival, families gather to enjoy meals made from the newly harvested rice.

The festival also features a prayer ceremony, where offerings such as rice cakes, dry fish, and water wine are arranged on an altar. Elders lead the ceremony, giving thanks to the rice spirits and asking for protection and prosperity.

Gratitude and Unity

The New Rice Festival emphasizes gratitude and unity. During the ceremony, elders tell stories about the origin of rice and the bond between people and nature. The dog holds a special place in the ritual, as it is believed to have barked to summon the rice spirits. Before the meal begins, dogs are fed as a gesture of thanks and respect.

The festival also serves as a time for family reunions. Relatives and friends gather around the fireplace, drinking homemade wine and rice wine, while singing and dancing together in celebration. The festival’s joyful atmosphere embodies the harmony and happiness of the community.

The Harvest Landscape of Nujiang

Golden Rice Fields

In Nujiang (怒江), the arrival of the New Rice Festival signals the beginning of a harvest feast. The Jingpo people’s (景颇族) hard work has transformed the land into a golden sea of rice stalks, symbolizing a rich and abundant harvest. The fields reflect their hopes, dreams, and a deep connection with the land.

Picturesque Rural Scenery

In Fugong (福贡), the scent of rice wafts through the valleys, bringing the joy of the harvest. The terraced rice fields form a beautiful backdrop, creating a poetic and picturesque rural landscape.

Visitors to the area can enjoy the beauty of nature while experiencing the rich cultural traditions of the Jingpo people (景颇族). It’s a place to appreciate the harvest season and reflect on the simple yet fulfilling life in the countryside.

Ideal Travel Season

In Gongshan Bingzhonglu Town (贡山丙中洛镇), the vast rice fields are bathed in golden light during the harvest season, with the rice swaying gently in the breeze. This creates a beautiful rural scene, with blue skies, white clouds, and vibrant green hills.

This region has become a popular destination for tourists, who flock to capture stunning photographs of the landscape that resemble oil paintings. It’s a perfect time for a spontaneous trip to experience the golden autumn in Nujiang and its natural beauty.

In Lanping County (兰坪县), machines work diligently through the rice fields, collecting the bountiful harvest. The efficiency of modern machinery complements the traditional beauty of the harvest season.

Conclusion: A Golden Autumn Journey in Nujiang

The New Rice Festival is more than just a harvest celebration—it’s a cultural expression of gratitude, unity, and hope for the future. During the golden autumn in Nujiang (怒江), travelers have the opportunity to experience the joy of the harvest and immerse themselves in the customs and traditions of the Jingpo people (景颇族).

Come and explore the golden rice fields, partake in the festive celebrations, and capture the essence of rural life in this stunning region. This is a journey you won’t forget.