Sanduo Festival of Naxi Ethnic Minority in Lijiang
Chinese Name:纳西族三朵节/北岳庙会
English Name: Sanduo Festival of Naxi Ethnic Minority
Date: lunar 8 February (19 March)
Places to celebrate Sanduo Festival in Lijiang:
(1)-Sanduoge Temple (also named Beiyue Temple)
(2)-Jade Water Village (Yushuizhai Scenic Spot)
(3)-Yufeng Temple
(4)-Dongba Valley
Activities include celebrations, sacrificial ceremonies and Naxi ethnic cultural show.
The Sando Festival, also known as “Sando Song” in the Naxi language, is a grand traditional celebration held annually on the eighth day of the second lunar month. It originated from the Beiyue Temple Fair in Yulong Village, Baisha, and has been legally recognized as a significant festival for the Naxi people. This event is dedicated to worshiping Sando, the Naxi people’s supreme protector deity. Each year, Naxi people from across the region gather at the Sando Temple at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain for a solemn worship ceremony called “Sando Song,” where a whole sheep is offered as a sacrifice. The festival atmosphere is marked by solemnity, with thick incense smoke, large crowds, and households preparing food and burning incense for worship at home.
Origins of the Sando God
Sando is a central figure in Naxi culture, symbolizing the people’s love for peace, harmony, and indomitable spirit. Often depicted as a god of war riding a white horse and wearing white armor, Sando is believed to be a divine manifestation of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Three legends explain the origins of Sando:
- The White Deer Legend: A hunter, possibly Macong (an ancestor of the Mu clan chieftains), encountered a white deer on Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. As he aimed to shoot, the deer transformed into a shining white stone. The hunter carried the stone down the mountain, but it became too heavy to move near Beiyue Temple. Believing it to be divine, the Naxi people built the Sando Temple there and began annual sacrifices.
- The Naxi-Beng War: According to the Naxi symphony “Bengshi Xili,” Sando helped the Naxi tribe win a war against the Beng tribe by tricking them into dulling their swords, leading to their defeat.
- The Three Brothers: Sando was the youngest of three brothers who migrated from the west of Lijiang. He promised great fortune to a king in exchange for offerings, but when the king complained about the lack of blessings, Sando withdrew his protection, leading to the kingdom’s decline. He later appeared to Macong, a Naxi leader, promising aid in battle, and after numerous victories, the Naxi people honored him as an invincible god of war.
Customs and Characteristics
Sando is associated with sheep, and sacrifices are offered twice a year, with the second lunar month’s celebration being the grandest. The festival is characterized by gatherings, singing, dancing, and various lively activities. Since 1986, it has been recognized as the legal traditional festival of the Naxi people. On this day, Naxi people from all over Lijiang gather at Beiyue Temple to offer sacrifices, including fragrant wine, sumptuous meat, and incense, praying for Sando’s protection and blessings. The celebration includes outdoor feasts, singing, dancing, and competitions.
Tradition and Development
The Sando Festival holds deep cultural significance for the Naxi people, honoring Sando as their protector god and symbolizing their resilience and cultural heritage. Since 1983, the festival has become the most significant event for the Naxi people in Lijiang and a time for Naxi people from various regions to gather and celebrate their rich cultural traditions.
Legal Status
In August 1986, the Sando Festival was officially designated as the Naxi people’s legal national festival by the Lijiang Naxi Autonomous County People’s Congress Standing Committee. After Lijiang was elevated to city status, the festival was reconfirmed as a legal traditional holiday by the Yulong Naxi Autonomous County People’s Congress in 2005, granting a three-day holiday.
Protection and Preservation
On May 24, 2021, the Sando Festival was approved by the State Council for inclusion in the fifth batch of national intangible cultural heritage representative projects. On October 31, 2023, the Yulong Naxi Autonomous County Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center was recognized as the official protection unit for the Sando Festival, ensuring its preservation for future generations.
