Peach Blossom (Taohua) Festival of Nu Ethnic Minority

Chinese Name:怒族桃花节
English Name:  Peach Blossom (Taohua) Festival of Nu Ethnic Minority

Introduction to the Peach Blossom (Taohua) Festival of the Nu Ethnic Minority

The Peach Blossom Festival, also known as the Taohua Festival, is an ancient and fascinating event celebrated by the Nu ethnic minority in Zhanatong Village, Bingzhongluo, which is located 44 kilometers north of Gongshan County, deep in the heart of the Three Parallel Rivers region. Covering an area of over 12,000 acres, Bingzhongluo is often referred to as the “little granary” of Gongshan County. This area is a picturesque and fertile plateau, surrounded by towering mountains, creating a stunning natural landscape that changes with the seasons—from a floral paradise in spring, lush greenery in summer, golden harvests in autumn, to snow-covered beauty in winter.

Bingzhongluo is surrounded by ten revered peaks, including Biluo Snow Mountain to the east, the majestic Stone Gate Gorge to the north, the towering Gaoligong Mountains and the sacred Kawakarpo Mountains flanking the Nujiang Gorge, and the Gongdang Sacred Mountain to the south. This creates a unique natural spectacle described as “mountains forming a city, rivers creating a pool,” which many consider the true Shangri-La and the peach blossom land along the Nujiang River.

The area is a cultural and religious melting pot, where multiple ethnic groups, such as the Nu, Lisu, Tibetan, and Dulong, coexist harmoniously, practicing various religions including Tibetan Buddhism, Catholicism, Christianity, and indigenous beliefs. This rich tapestry of faiths and cultures, coupled with the region’s breathtaking scenery, makes it a serene haven known as the “land where humans and gods live together.”

Significance of Festivals

Festivals are the epitome of a region’s cultural and historical essence, showcasing traditional music, dance, games, competitions, and food. For travelers, experiencing these festivals offers a unique glimpse into the local lifestyle and heritage, providing a stark contrast to their daily routines.

Gongshan’s ethnic charm is vivid and distinct, characterized by events such as the Dulong’s Kaqiowa Festival with its bull sacrifices, the Nu’s Fairy Festival with its holy water rituals, and the Peach Blossom Festival with its ghost-expelling and deity-worshipping ceremonies. Traditional foods like the Lisu’s hand-rolled rice and shared wine, and the Nu’s shala, stone slab pancakes, and lacquer oil chicken are irresistible delicacies. Unique practices like crossing vine bridges and zip lines further enhance the region’s wild and rich ethnic flavor, making it an unforgettable experience for visitors.

The Peach Blossom Festival

The Peach Blossom Festival is an ancient and intriguing celebration among the Nu people. During the festival, which coincides with the blooming of peach trees, Zhanatong Village transforms into a vibrant sea of pink blossoms, earning it the nickname “Peach Blossom Island.”

The festival attracts locals dressed in traditional attire and visitors from all over to Zhanatong Village for grand celebrations. The event typically begins with cultural performances by the Gongshan County Art Troupe and the Zhanatong Village Arts Team. Traditional activities follow, including chanting and deity worship, tying colorful ropes around the village for good fortune, Tibetan Buddhist rituals, ghost-expelling ceremonies for safety, and dancing the Guozhuang dance, alongside sports competitions.

According to local elders, the Peach Blossom Festival is primarily a tribute to the Nu ancestor, Baima. Traditionally, a Baima effigy made of roasted flour and adorned with peach blossoms is worshipped and then cast into the Nujiang River at the spot where Baima is said to have jumped into the river. This ritual commemorates Baima’s resistance against the introduction of Tibetan Buddhism and subsequent conflicts, culminating in her tragic end. Over time, this commemoration evolved into the Peach Blossom Festival, held annually on the tenth day of the second lunar month.

The festival involves unique rituals where villagers gather around a peach blossom effigy made of barley flour, led by an elder who chants and scatters barley on rooftops. After a series of rituals, villagers offer personal items, such as hair or coins, to the effigy, followed by a procession that concludes with casting the effigy into a designated spot, accompanied by fireworks.

Interestingly, the festival alternates annually between celebrating women and men, reflecting the village’s historical matriarchal society. During the women’s festival, weaving tools are hung on peach trees, while men’s tools like knives and crossbows are displayed during the men’s festival, showcasing a unique cultural heritage worth studying.

This year’s (2011) Peach Blossom Festival on March 14th is a women’s celebration, while next year’s will be a men’s festival. Such cultural traditions make the festival intriguing and are a must-see for anyone interested in ethnic customs. Visitors are warmly invited to join the festivities on the tenth day of the second lunar month next year in Zhanatong Village, Bingzhongluo, Gongshan, Nujiang, Yunnan.