Jijiamu Festival of Nu Ethnic Minority
Basic Introduction
- Chinese Name: 怒族春节/吉佳姆/盍司节
- English Name: Jijiamu Festival of Nu Ethnic Minority
- Time: Held in the twelfth month of the lunar calendar
- Meaning: Celebrating the Lunar New Year
- Description:
The Jijiamu Festival is a traditional Nu ethnic minority festival. “Jijiamu” is transliterated from the Nu language and means celebrating the Lunar New Year. The festival lasts for 15 days. Before the festival, people are busy pounding rice, making “baba” (a type of food), preparing alcohol, and slaughtering pigs for the New Year. On the thirtieth day of the lunar month, households clean thoroughly, removing all impurities to start the new year fresh. Before the reunion dinner on New Year’s Eve, a simple ritual is conducted.
- Popcorn is placed on a tripod over the fire, with meat and wine placed at each corner of the tripod, offering blessings for a prosperous new year with grain, meat, and wine. In some places, the festival is celebrated with roasting alcohol and slaughtering pigs, making it a lively occasion. During the festival, young men enjoy competing in crossbow shooting. They hang their own “baba” and meat on tree branches and shoot with crossbows from a designated distance; whoever hits the target claims the prize. Young women’s favorite activity is swinging on swings. They wear skirts with embroidered edges and adorn themselves with coral, agate, shells, silver coins, and small beads.
- Laughing and flying on swings under large trees, they resemble fluttering colorful clouds in the wind, like butterflies chasing and playing among flowers. The precision of the young men’s crossbow shooting and the height of the young women’s swings are admired as displays of bravery and agility. On the night of the festival, young men and women gather with pipas (lutes), mouth string instruments, and perform dances such as “pipa dance,” “hunting dance,” “washing dance,” and even dances imitating crows drinking water and monkeys breaking corn. Elderly people gather to drink alcohol and sing folk songs, with some elders able to sing intermittently for two to three days. The songs mostly tell folk tales and heroic stories.
Local Activities of the Jijiamu Festival
- Rituals and Prayers: The festival often begins with rituals and prayers to honor ancestral spirits, nature, and deities. Community leaders or shamans may perform these rituals to seek blessings for the harvest, health, and good fortune for the year ahead.
- Traditional Music and Dance: Music and dance are integral parts of the celebration. Participants dress in traditional attire and perform folk songs and dances that reflect Nu culture. This serves both as entertainment and a means of cultural expression, allowing the community to celebrate its heritage.
- Feasting and Shared Meals: Central to the Jijiamu Festival is communal feasting. Families prepare a variety of traditional dishes, often featuring local ingredients. Sharing meals together fosters a sense of community and reinforces social bonds among participants. Food may commonly include rice, meat, vegetables, and traditional Nu dishes.
- Cultural Competitions: Various traditional competitions may take place, such as games showcasing skills in archery, wrestling, or other local sports. These activities encourage friendly rivalry while celebrating traditional skills and fostering community spirit.
- Storytelling and Oral Traditions: Elders often share stories, myths, and legends that embody the cultural heritage of the Nu people. These storytelling sessions are vital for preserving history and passing down traditions to younger generations.
- Craft Demonstrations: Artisans may demonstrate traditional crafts, such as weaving, pottery, or embroidery. This aspect of the festival showcases the artistic talents of the community and allows for the sharing of knowledge and skills among generations.
- Cultural Displays: During the festival, exhibitions of traditional clothing, artifacts, and local handicrafts are often organized. This enhances cultural pride and serves as an educational opportunity for younger community members and visitors.
- Community Games: The festival typically features various games designed to engage community members of all ages. These may include relay races, tug-of-war, or other traditional games that promote teamwork and physical activity.
- Social Gatherings: The Jijiamu Festival serves as a significant social occasion, where people from different villages may come together, strengthening inter-village relationships and fostering cooperation.
- Environmental Activities: Some activities during the festival also focus on the environment, such as tree planting or clean-up initiatives, highlighting the community’s connection to nature and its commitment to sustainability.
