Genital Worship of Bai Ethnic Minority in Dali
Basic Introducion
- Chinese Name: 南华县雨露乡白族灯会
- English Name: Lantern Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority in Nanhua County, Chuxiong
- Location:南华县雨露乡雨露村
The Lantern Festival, celebrated by the Bai ethnic minority in Nanhua County, Chuxiong, is an important cultural event that marks the end of the Lunar New Year celebrations. This festival, typically held on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, is a time for festivity, family gatherings, and cultural expression.
Key aspects of the Lantern Festival
1. Lantern Displays:
The highlight of the festival is the display of vibrant lanterns. These lanterns often come in various shapes and sizes, and they are beautifully crafted and decorated. The illumination of lanterns creates a festive atmosphere and serves as a symbol of hope and light for the coming year.
2. Cultural Performances:
During the festival, traditional performances are held, including folk dances, music, and theatrical presentations. Dancers often wear traditional Bai costumes, showcasing the unique cultural heritage of the Bai ethnic group. These performances help to entertain the community and preserve traditional art forms.
3. Dragon and Lion Dances:
The Dragon and Lion dances are commonly performed during the festival. These dances are believed to bring good luck and prosperity. The energetic performances attract large crowds and are a focal point of public celebration.
4. Family Reunions and Feasting:
The Lantern Festival is an occasion for family reunions. Families come together to share meals, often featuring traditional Bai dishes. Foods such as rice dumplings (tangyuan), which are round and symbolize reunion and completeness, are particularly popular during this time.
5. Guessing Lantern Riddles:
A fun tradition during the Lantern Festival is the practice of guessing riddles written on lanterns. This activity adds an interactive element to the festival and is enjoyed by people of all ages.
6. Prayers and Blessings:
The festival is also a time for people to pray for good fortune, health, and prosperity in the coming year. Communities may conduct rituals and activities to express their hopes and wishes.
7. Community Engagement:
The Lantern Festival fosters a sense of community as people participate in various activities together. It strengthens social ties and encourages collaboration among community members.
Overview of the Festival
- Chinese Name:文山丘北县龙营镇马者龙村白族太平节
- English Name: Taiping Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority in Qiubei County, Wenshan
- Location: Taiping Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority is held in Mazhelong Village of Qiubei County.
The Taiping Festival, celebrated by the Bai ethnic minority, is an important occasion in Qiubei County, Wenshan Prefecture, Yunnan Province. This festival is a vibrant expression of Bai culture and serves as a means to preserve their rich traditions and strengthen community ties. The Taiping Festival usually takes place on the 15th day of the first lunar month, marking the end of winter and the arrival of spring.
Origin of the Taiping Festival
The Taiping Festival has deep historical roots linked to the Bai people’s agricultural practices and spiritual beliefs. Traditionally, the Bai people have been an agricultural community, and the festival’s origins are intertwined with agricultural cycles, particularly those associated with rice planting and harvests. The festival is believed to have derived from ancient rituals intended to invoke blessings for abundant crops, peace, and harmony among the community.
Furthermore, the term “Taiping” translates to “peace and stability,” which highlights the festival’s emphasis on harmony and good fortune. Over the centuries, the Taiping Festival has retained its significance, evolving into a broader cultural celebration that fosters unity and cultural pride among the Bai people.
Local Activities During the Taiping Festival
The Taiping Festival is characterized by a variety of lively activities that reflect the cultural heritage, traditions, and community spirit of the Bai ethnic group. Here are some key activities commonly associated with the festival:
1. Traditional Singing and Dancing
Music and dance play a vital role in the Taiping Festival. The Bai people are known for their melodious folk songs and energetic dances. During the festival, various performances are held, with participants donning colorful traditional costumes, often embellished with intricate embroideries. Dance troupes may perform traditional dances that celebrate daily life, nature, and historical themes.
2. Ceremonial Offerings
A significant aspect of the Taiping Festival involves making offerings to ancestors and deities, expressing gratitude for past blessings while seeking continued good fortune. This may include preparing special food items, such as rice, fruits, and pastries. Families participate in rituals where they offer these foods on altars, accompanied by prayers for peace and prosperity.
3. Culinary Celebrations
Food is at the heart of the Taiping Festival, with families preparing a variety of traditional Bai dishes. Specialties often include rice balls, sour rice noodles, and various meat dishes. Sharing meals is a way to reaffirm community bonds, and elaborate feasts are common, emphasizing hospitality and togetherness.
4. Flower Festivals and Decoration
The Taiping Festival often coincides with the blooming of early spring flowers. As a result, flower-related activities are prominent during this period. Participants may engage in flower picking and decoration, using blossoms to adorn homes and community spaces. This symbolizes renewal, beauty, and the hope for a fruitful year ahead.
5. Cultural Exhibitions and Competitions
During the festival, cultural exhibitions may take place, showcasing traditional Bai crafts such as embroidery, weaving, and pottery. Competitions in traditional sports, including archery and various games, foster a sense of community and competition, drawing participation from different age groups and families.
6. Community Gatherings and Social Activities
The Taiping Festival is an occasion for the Bai community to come together and celebrate their unity. People gather in local fields or public spaces to socialize, exchange greetings, and participate in various communal activities. This strengthens social ties and encourages the sharing of experiences, stories, and cultural knowledge.
Conclusion
The Taiping Festival is a vibrant celebration of Bai culture, agricultural traditions, and community spirit in Qiubei County. Through its rich array of activities, including traditional songs and dances, ceremonial offerings, culinary delights, and cultural exhibitions, the festival encapsulates the values and identity of the Bai ethnic minority. This cherished event not only honors heritage but also strengthens bonds within the community, making the Taiping Festival a significant and joyous occasion in the lives of the Bai people.
Overview of the Festival
- Chinese Name:大理鹤庆县白族果子节
- English Name: Guozi Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority in Heqing County, Dali
- Location: Heqing County, Dali Prefecture
- Time: the 16th day of the 8th month in the lunar calendar
It is said that the 16th day of the 8th month in the lunar calendar is the day when the Flower Fairy descended to teach people how to cultivate fruit. In honor of the Flower Fairy, this day is designated as the Fruit Festival each year. During the festival, families invite relatives and friends to feast together. At noon on that day, people serve mooncakes, play the suona (a traditional wind instrument), and sing folk songs as they go to the orchard to make offerings to the Flower Fairy. They return home for dinner only after the moon rises in the east.
Local Activities
- Fruit Offerings and Worship: Community members pay homage to the Flower Fairy by preparing offerings of fruits and other seasonal produce. This ritual often occurs in orchards or at designated worship sites, where people express gratitude for the harvest and seek blessings for future prosperity.
- Feasting and Sharing Meals: Families gather together to prepare and enjoy lavish banquets featuring traditional Bai dishes. Mooncakes, fruits, and other specialties are shared among family members and guests, reinforcing social bonds and community ties.
- Traditional Music and Dance: Local musicians play traditional instruments, including the suona and other folk instruments, while groups perform lively dances. These performances often tell stories or express cultural themes, contributing to the festive atmosphere.
- Singing Folk Songs: Folk songs are an integral part of the celebration. Participants often gather to sing traditional Bai songs, which reflect the community’s history, values, and experiences.
- Cultural Performances: The festival may include various cultural performances such as drama, skits, and storytelling that highlight Bai folklore and traditions. These performances serve as both entertainment and a way to preserve cultural heritage.
- Games and Competitions: Fun activities and competitions, such as traditional games or sports, may be organized to engage the community and provide entertainment, particularly for children and youth.
- Decorating with Flowers and Fruits: Homes and public spaces are often decorated with flowers and fruits, symbolizing abundance and a bountiful harvest. This decoration adds to the festive ambiance and showcases the region’s agricultural richness.
- Community Gatherings: The festival serves as a time for reunion and socializing. People from near and far return to their hometowns to celebrate with family and friends, fostering a sense of belonging and community spirit.
- Youth Participation: Young people are often encouraged to take part in cultural performances and activities, ensuring the transmission of traditional knowledge and practices to the next generation.
Overveiw of the Festival
- Chinese Name: 鹤庆县耍海节
- Englsih Name: Shuahai Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority in Heqing County, Dali
- Location: Heqing County, Dali Prefecture
Heqing Caohai is truly a highland water town. A multitude of ponds and the continuously flowing water system of the Yangong River basin form a vast natural wetland of Caohai in Heqing Baizi. During the blooming season of lotus flowers, on the 16th day of the 7th lunar month, people of all ages in the Heqing basin flock to Caohai to enjoy the beautiful lake scenery and mountains, giving rise to the traditional “Shuahui Festival.”
During the Shuahui Festival, Bai youth come to the Caohai to either row boats on the water or climb the mountains. Many also play the sanxian (a traditional three-stringed instrument) and sing Bai folk songs, enjoying their time in entertainment and games. Numerous young men and women of the Bai people find love and form happy unions at these singing events.
Originally, the activities of the Shuahui Festival were held in Pengtun Village in Heqing County, stretching from the southern part of Caohai to below the new bridge of the Xin River in Pengtun, and west of the Bonan River, excluding the Bonan section of the Xin River. After 2000, with the completion of the Dali Road between the Central Sea and the North Sea (from Mutun Village to Xinhua Village), the festival was relocated to Mutun Village under the organization of the government. Today, the Shuahui Festival has become a national festival in Heqing, and during this time, people spontaneously come together to participate in this grand celebration.
Local Activities
- Boat Rides: Young men and women often take to the waters of Caohai, enjoying boat rides and leisurely paddling through the scenic lakes and wetlands. This activity allows participants to connect with nature while socializing.
- Singing and Dancing: One of the highlights of the festival is the singing of traditional Bai folk songs. Participants gather in groups to sing and dance, often accompanied by traditional instruments such as the sanxian. This is a time for social bonding, and many couples may meet and form romantic connections through the performances.
- Lotus Flower Appreciation: The festival coincides with the blooming of lotus flowers, and participants often take time to appreciate and photograph the beautiful scenery. This adds a visual and aesthetic element to the festivities.
- Community Feasting: Families and friends come together to share meals, often featuring traditional Bai dishes. This communal aspect of dining strengthens social ties and enhances the festive atmosphere.
- Cultural Performances: Various cultural performances, including traditional dances and dramas that showcase Bai folklore and customs, are often organized during the festival, providing both entertainment and education about the Bai culture.
- Games and Competitions: The festival may include traditional games and competitions that engage participants and foster a sense of friendly rivalry and fun.
- Ceremonial Activities: Rituals and ceremonies to honor the earth, water, and ancestors may also take place, reflecting the spiritual beliefs of the Bai community. These activities emphasize gratitude for the harvest and the natural beauty of the region.
- Art and Craft Exhibits: Local artisans may showcase traditional Bai crafts, including textiles, pottery, and other handmade items. Visitors can purchase unique souvenirs and appreciate the local craftsmanship.
- Environmental Awareness: Some celebrations might also focus on environmental protection, promoting awareness about the importance of preserving the wetland ecosystem and the natural beauty of the area.
Overview of the Festival
- Chinese Name: 剑川县弥沙乡弥井四月八农耕文化节 /盐神母会
- English Name: April 8th (Siyueba) Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority in Jianchuan County, Dali
- Location: Jianchuan County, Dali
Mi Jing is famous for its salt production, and the legend of the creator of the Mi Sha salt industry, known as the ‘Salt Mother Goddess,’ has been passed down in the village. Every year, on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, the villagers of Mi Jing gather at Baihuatan on the western hill of the village to welcome the ‘Salt Mother Goddess’ and hold a variety of colorful folk cultural activities: bull fighting, dragon and lion dances, fishing, wood chopping, three-string love song duets, and traditional opera performances. The people of Mi Jing have also continued to pass down the cultural customs of ‘fishing, woodcutting, farming, and reading’ to this day.
Origin and Significance
The April 8th Festival has its origins in agricultural practices, particularly those tied to the lunar calendar. It is believed to celebrate the arrival of spring and the nourishing rains that are crucial for crops. The festival is also linked to spiritual beliefs, honoring ancestors and deities to ensure a bountiful harvest.
Throughout the years, the Siyueba Festival has evolved into a broader celebration encompassing cultural performances, communal gatherings, and colorful traditional activities, making it an essential event in the Bai calendar.
Local Activities
The April 8th Festival is marked by a variety of activities that reflect the cultural identity and community spirit of the Bai people. Key activities include:
- Spiritual Rituals: The festival often begins with rituals to honor ancestors and spirits. Villagers may visit temples or sacred sites, offering food, flowers, and incense to seek blessings for health and prosperity.
- Cultural Performances: Traditional music and dance performances are central to the festivities. Bai folk songs, often accompanied by instruments such as the sanxian (a three-stringed instrument) and the hulusi (a gourd flute), fill the air, while colorful dances such as the “Bai Flower Dance” showcase the community’s artistic heritage.
- Traditional Costumes: Participants often wear traditional Bai clothing, which is characterized by its distinctive styles, vibrant colors, and intricate embroidery. This adds to the festive atmosphere, as the community comes together in their cultural attire.
- Corn and Rice Planting Activities: As an agricultural festival, part of the celebrations may involve communal planting activities. Villagers come together to plant corn and rice, emphasizing the importance of agriculture in Bai culture and fostering a spirit of cooperation and unity.
- Competitions and Games: The festival may feature various competitions, such as tug-of-war, traditional sports, and games that engage community members of all ages, promoting camaraderie and friendly rivalry.
- Food and Culinary Traditions: The April 8th Festival is also a time for feasting. Traditional Bai dishes are prepared and shared among families and friends, including local delicacies like stuffed pastries (commonly known as “bai zhu”) and various rice dishes. Food plays a crucial role in bringing the community together.
- Market and Craft Stalls: Local artisans often set up stalls to showcase their crafts, including traditional textiles, pottery, and jewelry. This not only provides an opportunity for economic exchange but also highlights the artistic talents within the community.
- Community Gatherings: The festival serves as a reunion for families and friends, strengthening social bonds and fostering a sense of belonging within the Bai community.
Conclusion
The April 8th Festival is a vibrant and essential celebration for the Bai ethnic minority in Jianchuan County. Through its array of cultural activities, rituals, and communal gatherings, the festival not only honors agricultural traditions and spiritual beliefs but also reinforces cultural identity and community ties. This enchanting event attracts locals and visitors alike, allowing them to witness and participate in the rich heritage of the Bai people, while promoting understanding and appreciation of their unique customs and lifestyle.
Basic Introduction
- Chinese Name: 大理洱海开海节
- English Name: Kaihai Festival (Kaihaijie) or Erhai Lake Fishing Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority
The Kaihai Festival is a lively representation of the cultural heritage and community spirit of the Bai ethnic minority. It is not only a celebration of the fishing season and the natural bounty of Erhai Lake but also a time for strengthening social bonds and preserving cultural traditions. The festival serves as a reminder of the Bai people’s enduring relationship with their environment, their customs, and their vibrant community life. In addition to its cultural significance, the Kaihai Festival also attracts tourists and visitors, allowing for cultural exchange and promoting the beauty of the Bai culture and Yunnan Province.
Cultural Significance
The Kaihai Festival is primarily a harvest festival that marks the beginning of the fishing season on Erhai Lake. It is a time for the Bai people to express their gratitude for the bounty of the lake and to pray for good catches in the coming year. The festival embodies the community spirit and rich cultural heritage of the Bai people, illustrating their way of life and relationship with the surrounding environment.
Timing of the Festival
The Kaihai Festival is typically held in the lunar month of April or May, coinciding with the spring season when fishing activities begin to increase on Erhai Lake.
Main Activities and Customs
- Cleansing Rituals: The festival often starts with cleansing rituals to purify the lake and pay homage to water deities. Local fishermen perform ceremonies to ask for blessings for a successful fishing season.
- Fishing Competitions: The highlight of the festival is the fishing competitions, where locals and visitors participate in friendly contests to catch fish. These competitions celebrate traditional fishing techniques and the skills of the Bai fishermen.
- Traditional Clothing: Participants often wear colorful traditional Bai attire, showcasing the unique embroidery and craftsmanship of the Bai ethnic culture. The clothing also reflects their cultural identity and pride.
- Cultural Performances: The festival features various cultural performances, including traditional Bai dance and music. Local artists may perform folk songs, showcasing the rich oral traditions of the Bai people, with vibrant and lively performances that engage festival-goers.
- Feasting: The Kaihai Festival is also a time for communal feasting. Locals prepare traditional dishes, particularly those using freshly caught fish. The sharing of meals symbolizes unity and reinforces community bonds.
- Artisan Exhibitions: The festival may include exhibitions of Bai crafts, such as weaving, embroidery, and pottery. These displays highlight the artistic talents of the Bai people and promote the preservation of their cultural heritage.
- Games and Activities: Various games and activities might take place, including traditional sports that encourage community participation and interaction among attendees.
Overview
- Chinese Name:剑川县白族青姑娘节
- English Name: Qingguniang Festival (Women’s Festival) of Bai Ethnic Minority in Jianchuan County, Dali
- Location: 鹤庆县甸南镇杨岑村/Yangcen Village, Diannan Town, Heqing County.
The Qingtai Girl Festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the first month in the lunar calendar each year. The Qingtai Girl Festival is a commemorative song and dance festival for Bai women. Its main content narrates the hardships and misfortunes experienced by Bai women in the old days, expressing their hopes and aspirations for a better life. It is popular in the areas of Yangcen and Diannan in Jianchuan County, and the festival takes place on the 15th day of the first month of the lunar calendar.
Introduction
On this day, Bai women from Diannan, Yangcen, and other areas in Jianchuan County participate in the activities. They gather together, each contributing money, and hire someone to create an idol of the Qingtai Girl. The idol is dressed in traditional Bai attire and is placed on a swing where the women gather around to dance and sing, enjoying themselves. Afterwards, they hold a memorial ceremony by the Hawei River. In the evening, one person holds the idol of the ‘Qingtai Girl’ as a guide, followed by the other women as they walk through the village’s streets, singing the narrative long song ‘Qingtai Girl.’ They then return to a designated area in the village to swing with the idol until late at night. Finally, they place the ‘Qingtai Girl’ into the Hawei River.
The activities of the Qingtai Girl Festival are conducted in the form of singing and dancing to perform a Bai folk epic that reflects the story of the Qingtai Girl. The content tells the tragic tale of a once innocent girl whose parents arranged her marriage, suffering abuse at the hands of her husband and mother-in-law. One night, she hangs herself from a swing but is rescued by her companions. However, after returning home, she is brutally beaten and ultimately, unable to endure the torment, she jumps into the Hawei River to take her own life
It is said that the Qingtai Girl jumped into the sea on the 15th day of the first lunar month, which is why this day has become known as the ‘Qingtai Girl Festival’ every year. On this occasion, the village girls gather together to select the most beautiful, smartest, kindest, and most melodious girl from their village to portray the Qingtai Girl. Some villages use an idol made of bamboo and paper, painted in bright colors, to represent the Qingtai Girl.
As the sun sets, all the women of the village escort the ‘Qingtai Girl’ from the river into the village, holding hands and singing and dancing in rhythm as they traverse the streets and alleys until they reach the village square. They then encircle the ‘Qingtai Girl,’ singing the entire long poem that recounts her painful experiences as a form of mourning, until the moon sets in the west.
She cries out in anger: ‘The shadows on the wall cannot become a painting, and trying to fish for the moon in the water is futile. A myriad of iron chains binds my body, yet they cannot lock my heart!’ Under the historical conditions of her time, she had no choice but to jump into the Hawei River, using death to resist the cannibalistic feudal marriage system. To commemorate the Qingtai Girl, Bai women gather every year on the 15th day of the first lunar month to hold memorial activities. In the evening, they carry the idol of the Qingtai Girl through the village’s streets, singing the long poem that narrates her tragic fate.
The long poem ‘Qingtai Girl’ is mournful and moving, divided into five main sections: ‘Elegy,’ ‘Love Song,’ ‘Suffering Song,’ ‘Dirge,’ and ‘Illusion Song.’ It begins with the ‘Elegy’ calling to the Qingtai Girl, ‘Sister Qingtai, today the sisters reunite, by the Hawei River we come to honor you, telling of your sorrows,’ and continues until the ‘Illusion Song,’ which includes: ‘Camphor tree, oh camphor tree, beside the Hawei River stand so tall, cut down a big tree to build a boat, and row to the South China Sea.’
Each line is heart-wrenching and evocative. This long poem, with its distinct ethnic style and unique artistic charm, has become a classic work in the history of Bai literature. It has been passed down among the people through the traditional customs of the ‘Qingtai Girl Festival,’ standing out as a remarkable flower of Bai culture.
Local Activities
- Selection of the Qingtai Girl:
- The festival features the selection of a young woman from the community to represent the Qingtai Girl, a central figure in the festival’s lore. This woman is typically chosen based on her beauty, intelligence, character, and singing ability.
- Idol Representation:
- In some villages, an idol made of bamboo and paper, adorned with colorful decorations, symbolizes the Qingtai Girl. This idol plays an important role in the festivities.
- Procession and Celebratory Activities:
- As the sun sets, the women of the village escort the Qingtai Girl through the streets, hand-in-hand, while singing and dancing. The procession culminates at the village square, creating a vibrant atmosphere filled with music and movement.
- Recitation of the Long Poem:
- The heart of the festival lies in reciting a long epic poem that tells the tragic tale of the Qingtai Girl. This poem is divided into several sections, including elegies and love songs, expressing themes of sorrow, love, and resistance against oppressive traditions.
- Rituals and Mourning:
- The festival incorporates elements of mourning for the Qingtai Girl, who in the story endured great suffering due to her forced marriage. The recitation of her story serves as a reminder of her plight and an expression of solidarity among the women.
- Cultural Significance:
- The Qingguniang Festival is not only a celebration of womanhood but also a preservation of Bai cultural identity. It emphasizes themes of resilience, community, and the struggles faced by women throughout history.
- Final Rituals:
- The festival often concludes with the ceremonial immersion of the idol in the Hawei River, symbolizing the release of the Qingtai Girl’s spirit and the renewal of hope within the community.
Chinese Name:白族葛根会
English Name: Pueraria Montana (Gegenhui) Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority in Dali
Pueraria montana (葛根 in Chinese) is a species of plant in the botanical family Fabaceae. At least three sub-species (alternatively called varieties) are known. It is closely related to other species in the genus Pueraria (P. edulis and P. phaseoloides) and the common name kudzu is used for all of these species and hybrids between them. The morphological differences between them are subtle, they can breed with each other, and it appears that introduced kudzu populations in the United States have ancestry from more than one of the species.
葛根会是大理白族岁时风俗，农历正月初五，一年一度的“葛根会”在崇圣寺三塔下的三文笔村如约而至，四面八方的群众都来这里买葛根、吃葛根，共赴这场大理白族的传统盛会。 上午9点，会场就挤满了前来做买卖和赶会的人，在长达千米的街道两侧摆满了大大小小近百个卖葛根的摊子。
葛根会相传始于唐代，民国《大理县志稿》有记载： “初五日，城西北三里三塔寺游人如蚁，留连胜境，倘佯登眺， 襟抱豁然，有卖春酒、烧猪肉、生螺黄、生螺狮、凉米线，供人瞰吹醉饱与薄片葛根者，故俗称葛根会云。”
大理白族葛根会
葛根是产于大理地区的一种藤本植物，葛根，又名薯条、粉葛。因为其根块含有大豆黄酮、淀粉、异黄、葛素等，有壮阳生泽、健脾开胃的作用。葛根会以交易葛根和游览三塔寺风光为主，同时有名食小吃供人享用，还有卖小娃娃玩具等。
葛根会当天从文笔村通向三塔寺的街道两侧都是卖葛根的摊子，上摆葛根、砧板、菜刀和土碱。凡是到场赶会的各族群众都要购买葛根，卖者将葛根切成片售给买者，买者就用葛根沾上碱食用，并把葛根带回家中，供家人食用。
葛根会以前主要是以交易葛根为主，而到了今天，已演变成了游览大理风光，品尝有名小吃，还有买东西为主的活动。也许是在春假里的缘故，大多是从外地而来的游客，头戴着在两旁店铺里购买的卷边羊皮帽，还穿了白族的衣衫。游客们为葛根会增添了别样风景，一年一度的葛根会热闹非凡，不容错过，心动了的话赶紧准备下，到大理来参加下一年的葛根会吧。
Chinese Name:大理白族耍海会/捞尸会
English Name: Shuahaihui Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority in Dali
大理洱海沿岸的白族人民，每年农历八月八日都要举办一次传统的耍海盛会。在耍海的日子里，人们只起唢呐，唱着《大本曲》，对着调子，舞着霸王鞭，跳起仙鹤舞，尽情欢乐。同时，举行一年一度的“赛龙舟”活动，龙舟一般用洱海里大型的木船改装而成，在长约十米，宽约三米的风帆上，披红挂绿、张灯结彩。桅杆上扎有五颜六色的“连升三级”的大斗，并拴上铜锣，尾舵上竖有松枝，船舷上画着叱咤风云的“黄龙”和“黑龙”，中间镶嵌一面圆“宝镜”。随着一声号令，各村寨的龙舟竞发，人们唱着赛舟调，祝愿风调雨顺，五谷丰登。
活动
由于起源传说不同，耍海会的时间也有前后，一般三至五天不等。邓川、上关、喜洲一带的耍海时间从农历七月二十三日开始，大理、下关一带的耍海时间从农历八月初八开始，耍海的内容大同小异。邓川、喜洲的白族群众身着民族盛装，聚会于弥苴河两岸和洱海之滨，举行用彩船游河泛海、唱山歌对调子等活动，持续三至五天。会期，家家户户都要接姑娘请客，节日隆重程度 如同过春节。大理、下关沿海的白族群众除举行划船耍海对歌活动外，还要举行规模盛大的龙船比赛活动。赛前，参赛的各村都要彩画龙船，并在船上挂彩和插旗，将龙船装扮得绚丽多姿。比赛时，看谁最先绕过海心的标记转回到岸边，最先回到 者为冠军。观看和助战的人群汇集在海边，摇旗呐喊，为参赛龙舟助威。
历史演变
大理白族耍海和赛龙船历史悠久，据史籍记载，始于南诏、大理国时期，最初与崇奉龙神有关，后来发展为群众性的文化体育活动。党的十一届三中全会之后，随着旅游事业 的发展，大理的要海会不再限于当地的白族群众，来自全国各地和海外的游客、外宾也参加了耍海活动，使节日的规模更大 更热闹。
Chinese Name:白族梨花会
English Name: Pear Blossom Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority in Dali
梨花会是白族传统盛会，在每年梨花盛开时节举行。阳春三月，遍布在剑川坝子里、坡地上、河谷间的座座梨园都披上了洁白雅致的素装，棵棵梨树上缀满了耀眼的白花。梨园里荡漾着美的韵味，在春风里摇曳的梨树枝条，仿佛向人们频频招手。人们三五成群，或亲朋同聚，或举家共乐，纷纷到梨园里野餐，开展春游活动。
白族崇尚白色，相传这事惹恼的黑魔鬼，它施妖术把世间白色的东西全变成了黑色，梨树也枯死了。有一位名叫梨花的白族姑娘，历尽艰险取到了老君山白龙潭里的龙乳。他把龙乳喷在黑魔鬼的身上，黑魔鬼马上变成一块石头，枯死的梨树重新开出了耀眼的白花。为了纪念为民除害的梨花姑娘，于是人们每年都要举行梨花会。
鹤庆首届梨花节之所以在奇峰村举办，是因为奇峰村是网络投选出来的大理“十大美丽乡愁”之一，是大理新出现的乡村活动美景地，它位于大理州鹤庆县西邑镇，距鹤庆县城58公里，是白族、傈僳族、苗族等多民族集居地的小山村，不仅自然生态美景秀美，民风也纯朴，每年都有不少人到乡村做客，到山里看梨花。
不过巍山县等地也在今年3月举报梨花节。
因此，这个是大理州各县往旅游方向发展的项目，没有历史渊源。
Chinese Name:宾川县鸡足山朝山会
English Name: Jizu Mountain Pilgrimage Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority in Binchuan County, Dali
每年农历正月初一至十五日，大理州境内的各族群众都要前往鸡足山朝山，祈求国泰民安和观赏鸡足山风光。节日期间，民族文化活动比较丰富，如耍龙、舞狮、狩猎、赛马、打歌、闹花灯、猜灯谜等，独具特色。
节日简介
鸡足山是佛教名山，每年农历正月初一至十五日为朝山会，是时大理州境内的各族群众都要前往朝山，祈求国泰民安和观赏鸡足山风光，朝山者每个寺院都要到达，给佛像敬香供果，向寺主捐献德，以作寺院维修之用。朝山期间，每天游人和朝者络绎不绝，到处欢歌笑语，热闹非常，游山朝都要到鸡足山金顶观日出。尤其是正月十五日凌晨观日出者，成百上千。
主要节目
鸡足山朝山节日期一般在农历腊、正月间，朝山信徒甚众，来自东南亚国家和地区。节日期间，民族文化活动比较丰富，如耍龙、舞狮、狩猎、赛马、打歌、闹花灯、猜灯谜等，独具特色。
景区介绍
鸡足山是中国四大佛教名山之一，山势背西北而面东南，前列三峰，后拖一岭，形如鸡足，故名。鸡足山在中国和东南亚享有盛名，同时又是著名的风景名名胜区。
鸡足山位于宾川县城西北30公里处，距大理市100余公里。40座奇山，30座险峰，34处崖壁，45个幽洞，吸引了无数的旅游者。相传，释迦牟尼的大弟子在此讲经，故鸡足山成了历代朝佛的胜地。鼎盛时，有36庵，72寺，108所寺院。僧人达5000多。鸡足山金顶海拔3240米，棱严塔高耸如云。
登顶眺望，东观日出，西望苍山洱海，南赏祥云，北眺玉龙雪山。明朝大旅游家徐霞客云：“此不特首鸡山，实首海内也。”
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