Mayinghua Fetival of Hongyi Ethnic People in Wuding County, Chuxiong

The Mayinghu Festival (马缨花会) is a vibrant traditional celebration of the Hongyi Ethnic People (红彝族), particularly the Nasu Pojie branch (纳苏颇支系), held annually on the 13th day of the 3rd lunar month (农历三月十三). In 2025, this festival will take place on April 10th. The event is centered in Lanniqing Village (烂泥箐村), located in Maojie Town (猫街镇), Wuding County (武定县), Chuxiong (楚雄), Yunnan Province (云南省).

Key Festival Activities

Mountain Blessing Ceremony

The Bimo (毕摩), a traditional priest, leads a solemn ritual where elders chant prayers for blessings and walk around the sacrificial altar (献山神座) while offering tributes. The ceremony is meant to ask for good weather, the prosperity of livestock, and a bountiful harvest.

Offerings: The altar is adorned with chickens, wine, pine branches, and in some cases, Mayinghu branches (马缨花), symbolizing good luck and happiness for the year.

Thousands of People Dancing the Diejia Dance (千人跌脚舞)

After the mountain blessing, the festival continues with the Diejia Dance (跌脚舞), a lively traditional Yi dance. Participants dance in a circle around a bonfire, performing over 20 dance routines, including the famous “Single Flower Dance” (单穿花) and “Eight-Legged Flower Dance” (八脚穿花), accompanied by the haunting sound of the flute (笛子) and Sanxian (小三弦).

Participation: The dance is performed by thousands of people, young and old, in a truly festive and lively atmosphere.

Mayinghu-Themed Cultural Exhibition (马缨花主题文化展演)

Dance and Song Performances: Traditional Yi dances (彝族舞蹈), including the “Gani Ni” (嘎尼尼) dance, and choral songs such as “Mawilu” (嘛微禄), which is a Mayinghu hymn (马缨花颂).

Traditional Yi Costumes: Yi women wear ornate headpieces made from Mayinghu flowers, showcasing the cultural significance of the flower in their tradition.

Youth Socializing and Trade Activities

Song and Dance Courtship: Unmarried young people engage in singing and dancing to express affection. In some cases, couples retreat into the nearby mountains for private conversations.

Market Trades: The festival also features a vibrant market selling traditional handicrafts, agricultural products, and local specialties.

Cultural Significance and Legends

The Symbolism of Mayinghu Flower

The Mayinghu Flower (马缨花), known as the Rhododendron Delavayi, is called “Mawilu” (嘛微禄) in Yi, and is revered as a lucky tree (吉祥树). It is traditionally used in weddings and blessings.

Myth: The Mayinghu Flower is closely tied to the origins of the Hongyi people (红彝族), with some legends suggesting it commemorates the ancestors of the Nanzhao Kingdom (南诏国) migrating to Wuding (武定).

Origins of the Festival

One version of the origin of this festival says that it honors the ancestors of Nanzhao (南诏), who migrated to Wuding (武定).

Another theory links the festival to mountain worship (祭祀山神) and prayers for a bountiful harvest (祈求丰收).

Modern Inclusions

The 2025 edition of the festival will include a demonstration of intangible cultural heritage (非遗技艺展示), such as leaf blowing music (树叶吹奏) and Yi embroidery (彝绣).

Practical Information

Transportation Suggestions

From Kunming (昆明), self-driving takes about 2.5 hours to reach Maojie Town (猫街镇). There are temporary parking lots available in the town for festival-goers.

Recommended Viewing

Visit Guantian Mountain (关天山) during the festival, as it is the time when wild Mayinghu flowers (野生马缨花) bloom across thousands of acres. This is a perfect opportunity to enjoy both the festival and the stunning natural scenery.

Festival Traditions and Activities

Bullfighting Contest

The morning of the festival begins with a bullfighting contest (斗牛) where the bull kings (牛王) compete. This exciting and intense event showcases the strength and courage of the bulls, and the care their owners have put into raising them. The crowd cheers as the bulls battle, echoing with laughter and excitement.

Yi Embroidery and Clothing Display

At the festival, Yi women (彝族姑娘) proudly display their embroidered clothes, discussing whose designs are the most beautiful. Yi embroidery is a complex art, and it takes several months to complete a full outfit. The garments are intricately designed with many different patterns and motifs that reflect the heart and soul of the Yi people.

Romantic Interactions and Socializing

The festival offers a chance for young men and women (年轻男女) to meet and interact, often through singing and dancing. Yi people tend to be reserved, so the festival provides a unique opportunity to express feelings of affection and love through song. The Yi language uses poetic expressions (鲁蜜) to convey admiration, making this a gentle and traditional way for people to form connections.

Migration Dance (迁徙舞)

The festival opens with a Migration Dance (迁徙舞) led by the elders (长老). Participants dress in traditional clothing, including cloaks, baskets, and incense branches, as they dance to the rhythm of the flute (笛子). This dance symbolizes the hardships and journey of the Yi people’s ancestors.

Community Dancing and Singing

As the day progresses, everyone gathers in a large circle to dance and sing. The Yi dance (彝族舞蹈) includes fast, energetic movements to the sound of the flute, and slower, more melodic dances with the moon guitar (月琴). The dances are participatory, with everyone joining in, creating an incredibly lively and festive atmosphere.

Historical and Cultural Context

The Mayinghu Festival (马缨花会) is deeply rooted in the traditions and myths of the Hongyi people (红彝族) and their connection to the Mayinghu flower (马缨花), which holds great cultural significance for the Yi people. The Mayinghu flower is considered a symbol of good fortune, prosperity, and joy. For centuries, this festival has been a time for the Yi community to come together, celebrate their cultural heritage, and honor their ancestors.

The festival’s location, Lanniqing Village (烂泥箐村), is historically significant as a site where the Yi people have lived for generations, and where their traditional practices are still deeply integrated into daily life. The surrounding hills, mountains, and forests are said to hold the spirits of their ancestors, making the festival an essential ritual of thanksgiving and blessings for the year ahead.

Local Legends and Folk Tales

The Legend of the Mayinghu Flower

According to local Yi legends, the Mayinghu flower was once a magical tree that bloomed only for the royal family of Nanzhao (南诏), one of the ancient kingdoms of China. The tree was believed to possess spiritual powers, providing protection and blessings to those who honored it. Over time, the flower became a symbol of happiness and fertility for the Yi people, especially during major life events such as marriages and harvests.

Another version of the legend tells that the Mayinghu flower represents the unity and strength of the Yi people. It is believed that the flower’s bright colors and vibrant blooms are a manifestation of the energy and passion of the Yi ethnic group, which continues to thrive despite centuries of hardship and migration.

The Journey of the Yi People

The migration dance (迁徙舞), performed at the Mayinghu Festival, tells the story of the Yi people’s long and arduous journey from their homeland to the present-day Wuding County (武定县). It is a tribute to their ancestors who faced great challenges while migrating through mountains, valleys, and rivers to establish their community in this fertile land. This dance is not just a performance; it is a form of cultural storytelling that preserves the history and struggles of the Yi people.

Festival Rituals and Practices

Sacrificial Rituals and Symbolism

The sacrificial rituals (祭祀仪式) during the Mayinghu Festival are highly symbolic, designed to honor the spirits of the mountains and forests, as well as to seek blessings for the community. The rituals typically include offerings of chickens, wine, pine branches, and Mayinghu flowers, which are believed to bring prosperity and good fortune to the people.

The Bimo priest (毕摩), a traditional spiritual leader of the Yi people, leads the ceremony by chanting sacred prayers and walking around the altar in a solemn procession. This ritual is considered vital for ensuring a fruitful year ahead, where the harvests are bountiful, livestock thrives, and the community remains safe from natural disasters or pests.

The Role of the Community in the Festival

One of the most striking features of the Mayinghu Festival is the active participation of the entire community. People from all walks of life, young and old, come together to perform the Diejia Dance (跌脚舞) and other traditional performances. The festival fosters a strong sense of unity among the different ethnic groups in the region, as well as between different generations within the Yi community. This spirit of solidarity is evident in the group dances, where everyone holds hands, forms circles, and dances together in harmony.

Social and Cultural Exchanges

Young Love and Courtship

The festival is not only a celebration of cultural heritage but also a time for young people (年轻人) to connect with potential partners. The song and dance courtship (对歌求偶) is a significant part of the event, where unmarried youth express their emotions through lyrical songs and synchronized dances.

In Yi culture, courtship is often a subtle and poetic process, and young men and women rarely express their feelings directly. Instead, they use Yi songs (彝族歌) to communicate their affection, with each participant responding to the other’s performance. This practice is a unique and beautiful way for young people to find love and build relationships, guided by tradition and mutual respect.

The Festival Marketplace

The festival marketplace (集市) is another vital component of the Mayinghu Festival. Here, locals and visitors can purchase a variety of traditional handicrafts, local foods, and agricultural products. These markets provide a perfect opportunity to explore the rich cultural heritage of the Yi people, where handmade textiles (手工织品), wooden carvings (木雕), and embroidered garments (刺绣衣服) are on display for sale.

The bustling atmosphere of the market mirrors the festival’s joyous energy, with vendors selling wild mushrooms, honey, dried meats, and local spirits (including rice wine), creating a festive environment that invites both local and international visitors to engage with the culture of the Yi people.

Festival Food and Drink

Food plays a central role in the Mayinghu Festival, with families preparing large feasts to share with friends and neighbors. Some of the traditional foods (传统美食) include:

Yi-style hotpot (彝族火锅), often made with local ingredients such as wild vegetables and local meats like goat and beef.

Sticky rice cakes (糯米粑粑), a sweet and savory treat often served during special occasions.

Roast meats, especially pork, lamb, and chicken, cooked over an open fire.

The festival also features local beverages such as rice wine (米酒) and herbal teas (草药茶), which are served to guests as a sign of hospitality and to enhance the festive mood.

Practical Travel Information

Best Time to Visit

The Mayinghu Festival is held annually on the 13th day of the 3rd lunar month (农历三月十三), which typically falls in April. The festival is a great time to visit Wuding County (武定县) for those seeking to experience authentic Yi culture and participate in the celebrations. The area is especially beautiful during this time of year, with the Mayinghu flowers (马缨花) in full bloom, creating a stunning backdrop for the festival activities.

Getting There

By Car: The best way to get to Maojie Town (猫街镇) is by self-driving from Kunming (昆明), which takes about 2.5 hours.

By Public Transport: Alternatively, visitors can take buses from Kunming (昆明) to Wuding County (武定县), then take a local transport option to Maojie Town (猫街镇).

Nearby Attractions

While in the area, visitors can also explore nearby attractions, including:

Guantian Mountain (关天山), known for its wild Mayinghu flowers (野生马缨花).

Wuding County (武定县), which has historical sites and beautiful landscapes for outdoor enthusiasts.

Accommodation

There are several guesthouses and local inns (客栈) available for travelers in Maojie Town (猫街镇), which provide a comfortable base for exploring the festival and surrounding areas. It’s advisable to book accommodation in advance, especially during the festival period, as the town becomes quite busy with both locals and tourists.

The Mayinghu Festival (马缨花会) is more than just a celebration; it is an expression of the Yi people’s rich cultural heritage and their connection to nature, their ancestors, and one another. Through rituals, dances, songs, and festivities, the festival brings together a diverse community to celebrate life, love, and the enduring spirit of the Yi culture. Whether you’re visiting to experience the traditional dances, explore the local market, or simply enjoy the stunning scenery of Wuding County (武定县), this festival offers an unforgettable opportunity to connect with one of China’s most vibrant ethnic cultures.