Panwang Festival of Yao Ethnic Minority in Mengla County, XishuangBanna

Chinese Name:西双版纳勐腊县瑶区瑶族乡瑶族盘王节
English Name: Panwang Festival of Yao Ethnic Minority
Address: Yoaqu Town of Mengla County, XishuangBanna,Yunnan西双版纳勐腊县瑶区瑶族乡
The King Panwang Festival is an important festival for offering sacrifices to the ancestor Panhu. All Yao clans, both home and abroad, value this sacrifice rites. Every year on October 16th of lunar calendar, the Yao clan, men and women, the old and the young all will be dressed in their festival best. They gather together singing and dancing, spending joyful King Panwang festival. (also called “dancing for King Panwang” or “following King Panwang”). The songs they sing are something like the happy lord based on King Panwang songs.

The Yao people primarily inhabit the Yao District in Mengla County and Mengwang Township in Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna. The Panwang Festival is the most grand traditional celebration for the Yao community.

According to legend, long ago, a battle took place between King Ping and King Gao. King Ping announced a reward: whoever could defeat King Gao would not only receive a generous prize but also the hand of the third princess in marriage. No one dared to answer the call, except for Pan Hu, the ancestor of the Yao people, who bravely took on the challenge. He crossed the sea, retrieved King Gao’s head, and won the right to marry the third princess. He was crowned king at the “Ten Treasures Hall of Nanjing Jishan” and became known as King Pan. King Pan and the princess had six sons and six daughters, establishing the twelve surnames of the Yao people.

Later, while hunting in the mountains, King Pan tragically fell off a cliff after being gored by a goat. Soon after, his children found his body at the foot of the cliff beneath a camphor tree. They cut down the tree to make a wooden drum, killed the goat, and used its skin for the drumhead. They beat the drum and sang songs to mourn King Pan. From then on, every year on the sixteenth day of the tenth lunar month (King Pan’s birthday), the Yao people would beat the long drum, sing, and dance to commemorate him.

After the twelve Yao surnames were expelled from Qianjia Cave, they faced a perilous sea journey, enduring strong winds and waves for seven days and nights without reaching land. They prayed and made offerings for King Pan’s protection, which allowed them to successfully cross the sea. To express gratitude for King Pan’s protection and to pray for prosperity, the twelve Yao clans would regularly “fulfill their vows to King Pan,” dance the “Panwang Dance,” perform the “Long Drum Dance,” and sing “Panwang Songs.” After his death, one of King Pan’s eyes became the sun, the other became the moon, his muscles formed the mountains, his blood vessels became rivers, and the flowers and trees of the earth were considered his fur. In the hearts of the Yao people, King Pan is a deity shining alongside the sun and moon. Thus, during festivals, the Yao people also honor heaven and earth in remembrance of King Pan.

Today, the Panwang Festival is celebrated primarily in villages and towns where the Yao people gather, often with festivities held in Mengla County. Activities include song and dance performances, sporting competitions, and displays of Yao folk songs and traditional dances. The festival features competitions such as flag-waving contests and pole-raising challenges. The Panwang Festival has gained significant recognition, attracting Yao representatives, guests from within and outside the province, and people from various ethnic groups to celebrate together. This vibrant celebration has become a cultural exchange festival that fosters friendship and unity among different ethnic groups.

To promote and pass down traditional Chinese culture, showcase the unique characteristics of the Yao district, strengthen the awareness of the Chinese national community, and gather the strong force of unity and hard work among various ethnic groups, the Yao District will host a series of events for the 38th “Panwang Festival” and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the Yao Township on November 24-25, with the theme “Striving Forward for 70 Years, National Unity Enriching Yao Township.”

Celebration Highlights of the 38th “Panwang Festival” and 70th Anniversary of Yao Township:

On November 25-26, the 38th “Panwang Festival” and the celebration of the 70th anniversary of Yao Township were successfully completed. The event was filled with excitement, attracting many local residents and visitors. The winter atmosphere combined with the warmth of the Yao people’s hospitality created a memorable experience.

1. Culinary Delights: Savoring the Flavors of Yao Cuisine

The long street in Yao Township was bustling with activity, filled with the aroma of delicious food. Visitors enjoyed an array of authentic dishes from the Yao, Hani, and Dai ethnic groups, a paradise for food lovers. Specialties included Yao rice dumplings, colorful sticky rice, and pickled vegetables that tantalized the taste buds, as well as Dai dishes cooked in bamboo tubes and banana leaves, bursting with sour, spicy, and fresh flavors. Hani specialties like bamboo chicken and sour bamboo shoots offered a taste of the region’s natural agricultural products.

2. Dance and Music: Experiencing the Culture of Yao Township

With unity in the air, the celebration showcased the beauty of Yao culture. As the lights shone, the stage became the focal point, with men, women, and children dressed in festive attire, singing and dancing. Performances included the Yao “Washing Cloth Dance,” Dai “Spring in Dai Homeland” dance, Hani “Ranmi Pidi” dance, and Yi “Camellia” dance, exuding youthful energy and grace. The song “Commemorating the 70th Anniversary of Township Establishment” encapsulated countless stories of the Yao people. Following the performances, winners of singing competitions and the Love Hometown Basketball Cup joyfully returned home, hand in hand.

3. A Night of Unity: The Bonfire Celebration

As darkness fell, the bonfire competed with the bright full moon. Laughter and singing filled the air, creating a magical atmosphere under the starry sky. People of all ethnicities joined hands around the fire, dancing and singing along with the rhythm. The warmth of the bonfire reflected on everyone’s joyful faces, and the lively atmosphere spread throughout the gathering, fostering a sense of community and celebrating cultural heritage.

4. Ethnic Solidarity: Embracing the Spirit of Yao Township

This beautiful land is a thriving community where everyone supports and cares for one another. The hardworking and hospitable Yao people, along with other ethnic groups, stand united like pomegranate seeds. In the early morning, various groups danced to the lively beat of drums, filling the air with the sound of jingling silver jewelry and joyful laughter. The ethnic performances showcased the Yao people’s confidence, hospitality, and hope for a better future. This display of traditional culture reflects the spirit of the people, who cherish life and strive for progress, representing the harmony and prosperity of the Yao community.

5. Enduring Spirit: Experiencing the Yao’s Resilience

Food is a reminder of warmth and care, capturing the essence of life. The diverse dishes of Yao cuisine evoke a sense of nostalgia and connection to home. At the festival, a wide variety of dishes delighted the senses, showcasing the rich flavors of Yao food that evoke fond memories. Contestants displayed their culinary skills, eagerly competing for the title of “Master Chef” among ethnic foods. The cooking and plating processes were seamless, each dish infused with the unique flavors and aromas of the Yao region.

Don’t Miss Out on Experiencing the Beauty of Yao Township and its Vibrant Culture!

Event Schedule:

1. Marketplace: Exhibition and sale of ethnic agricultural products and specialty foods
November 24-25, 08:00-20:00, Yao District Town Street

2. Celebration Reception: Welcoming guests and cultural teams
November 24, 13:00-16:00, Yao District Ethnic Cultural Activity Square

3. Cultural Evening: Performances and awards ceremony
November 24, 19:30-21:30, Yao District Ethnic Cultural Activity Square

4. Festival Reception: Welcoming guests
November 25, 08:00-09:30, Yao District Ethnic Cultural Activity Square

5. Ethnic Folk Performances:
November 25, 09:30-10:30, from Yao District Middle School to the Ethnic Cultural Square

6. Celebration Ceremony: Cultural performances
November 25, 10:30-12:00, Yao District Ethnic Cultural Activity Square

7. Food Competition: Yao rice dumplings and flower rice evaluation
November 25, 12:10-12:30, Yao District Ethnic Cultural Activity Square