New Year of Yi Ethnic Minority in Ninglang County, Lijiang

The Yi New Year (referred to as “Kushijie” in the Yi language) in Ninglang County (宁蒗县) is one of the most important traditional festivals of the Yi people. It usually begins around the 24th day of the 11th lunar month and lasts for three days. The Yi New Year is not only a significant moment for bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new, as well as praying for blessings and good fortune, but also an excellent platform for the inheritance and display of Yi culture.

Before the festival, the Yi people meticulously prepare various New Year goods, including raising pigs for the New Year, chopping new firewood, grinding buckwheat flour, and making tofu. Every household also cleans their clothes and sweeps their homes to welcome the New Year in a tidy environment. In addition, people prepare specific festival foods, such as “zaga” (扎糕) and “steamed dumplings” (蒸饺), which symbolize a bountiful harvest and happiness for the coming year.

On the first day of the Yi New Year, every household conducts an ancestral worship ceremony. People cut representative pieces of meat from different parts of the New Year pig, roast them in the fireplace, and then place them on a wooden plate. They add salt, insert bamboo skewers, and place a cup of wine in the center. The male head of the household recites prayers in front of the ancestral altar inside the house and under the eaves to honor their ancestors. After the ceremony, the whole family gathers together to enjoy the New Year’s meal and share the joy of reunion.

The Yi New Year offers a rich variety of delicious foods, including special dishes  such as “tuotuorou” (坨坨肉), “pig liver raw” (猪肝生), and “thousand-layer meat” (千张肉). These dishes not only satisfy the taste buds but also symbolize a prosperous and fulfilling life.

During the festival, the Yi people engage in various sports and cultural activities, such as horse racing, wrestling, bullfighting, sheep fighting, and cockfighting. These activities are not only displays of strength and courage but also an integral part of Yi culture. In addition, the bonfire party is an indispensable part of the Yi New Year. People sit around the bonfire, singing and dancing, and celebrating all night long.

During the Yi New Year, people visit each other, exchange gifts, and express their New Year blessings. Middle-aged men visit various households in groups to celebrate the New Year, while women stay at home to entertain visiting relatives and guests. These social activities not only strengthen the bonds between neighbors but also help to preserve Yi traditional culture.

The Yi New Year is not only a crucial time for the Yi people to bid farewell to the old and welcome the new, as well as pray for blessings and good fortune, but also an important platform for the inheritance and promotion of Yi culture. Through ancestral worship ceremonies, traditional cuisine, sports and cultural activities, and social interactions, the Yi people express their reverence for their ancestors, awe for nature, and love for life.

The Yi New Year in Ninglang County attracts numerous tourists with its unique charm. If you have the opportunity to participate, you will surely be impressed by the Yi people’s warm hospitality and rich cultural traditions.