Long Street Banquet of Hani Ethnic Minority and Shiyuenian Festival in Honghe County, Honghe Prefecture
Chinese Name: 红河县哈尼族长街宴/十月年/美首扎勒特/米索扎
English Name: Long Street Banquet of Hani Ethnic Minority and Shiyuenian Festival in Honghe County, Honghe Prefecture
Location:红河县甲寅、宝华、乐育三个乡镇
Origin of the Festival
The Long Street Feast is a traditional custom of the Hani people, celebrated during the October New Year. According to the Hani calendar, this festival marks the beginning of the New Year, equivalent to the Han Chinese Spring Festival. Known as “Gantan Tongtong” or “Zelasheshi,” this grand festival involves opening the “New Year doors” on the fifth day, symbolizing the transition from old to new. Families prepare an array of dishes from their yearly harvest, creating a long feast at the village gate that allows the entire community and visiting guests to partake.
Highlights of the Festival
the Long Street Banquet
Community Feast:
- The Long Street Banquet is known for its extensive layout, with tables set up along the streets for hundreds of meters, accommodating thousands of participants. It fosters camaraderie among community members and guests, emphasizing the spirit of sharing.
Traditional Cuisine:
- The banquet features a diverse array of traditional Hani dishes, often numbering around 40 varieties. Specialties may include glutinous rice, three-colored eggs, pork, chicken, fish, and various local delicacies. The food reflects the agricultural bounty of the region and is prepared with love and tradition.
Rituals and Blessings:
- The banquet is often accompanied by rituals meant to bless the community. Participants offer prayers for a good harvest, health, and prosperity while sharing food and drink together.
Cultural Performances:
- The event is enriched with cultural performances, including traditional music, dance, and singing. Hani dress and traditional instruments are prominently featured, bringing an authentic cultural vibe to the festivities.
Social Gathering:
- The Long Street Banquet serves as a major social event, where friends, families, and visitors come together to celebrate, network, and enjoy each other’s company. It’s an opportunity for reconnection within the community.
Guest Participation:
- The banquet welcomes visitors from various regions, creating a platform for cultural exchange. Local hosts often invite tourists to join in the feast, displaying the Hani people’s warmth and hospitality.
The Shiyuenian (October Year) Festival
Harvest Celebration:
- The Shiyuenian Festival marks the end of the harvest season and is a time for the Hani people to express gratitude for the year’s bounty. It is similar to a New Year celebration, incorporating elements of thanksgiving and hope for the future.
Traditional Ceremonies:
- The festival includes various traditional ceremonies, including rituals to honor ancestors and nature spirits. The community gathers to pray for blessings, good weather, and fruitful harvests for the next year.
Cultural Heritage Events:
- Various events and activities highlight Hani cultural heritage, such as folk songs, dances, and storytelling that convey the history and traditions of the Hani people.
Colorful Festivities:
- Participants wear traditional Hani clothing, adorned with bright colors and intricate patterns, adding to the visual spectacle of the festival. Parades and processions showcase this vibrant attire.
Family and Community Bonding:
- The festival is an occasion for families to come together, celebrate their achievements, and strengthen community bonds. It promotes social cohesion through shared experiences.
Nature Connection:
- The Hani people’s deep respect for nature is reflected in the festival’s themes, celebrating the land and its resources while teaching younger generations about ecological conservation.
Festival Customs
The “Angma Tu” Festival, held in early December (approximately the 10th day of the lunar October), is the largest and most significant festival for the agricultural Hani people. This three-day event involves worshipping the village guardian, “Angma,” and praying for rain and prosperity. On the first day, a ceremony and sealing ritual are held to welcome the guardian into the village. The second day features the Long Street Feast, a lavish banquet stretching over 700 meters (also called the Long Dragon Feast or Central Street Feast), where men, women, and children celebrate in traditional attire. The final day includes continued celebrations with music, dancing, and a focus on unity and gratitude.
Festival Process
During the Long Street Feast, villagers gather at long tables set up along the street, creating a festive and lively atmosphere with gongs and drums. The dragon leader presides over the event, tasting dishes from each household before mixing them together, symbolizing village unity. Participants start the feast by picking dragon pig meat from the center of the table, representing the dragon entering their hearts. Visitors are warmly welcomed, and the feast includes food, drink, and mutual blessings. The festival features traditional music and dance, enhancing the joyous and communal spirit.
Annual Activities
The Long Street Feast reflects the Hani people’s traditional unity and cultural richness. Since 2004, the festival has been recognized by Guinness World Records as “the longest banquet in the world,” with the 2010 event setting a new record with 3,050 tables stretching over 4,000 meters and over 10,000 participants. Notably, on November 2, 2008, the feast was celebrated in downtown Lincang County with provincial leaders and guests, despite the rain, showcasing the festive spirit. On November 13, 2015, the “Zhalete” festival saw thousands of Hani people creating a kilometer-long street banquet, further highlighting the festival’s grandeur and cultural significance.
Summary
The Long Street Feast is a vibrant celebration of Hani culture, blending traditional cuisine, rituals, and community spirit. It highlights the Hani people’s dedication to their heritage, showcasing their unique customs and fostering a sense of unity and joy among participants and visitors alike.
