Festivals of Zhuang Ethnic Minority

The festivals of the Zhuang people are mostly similar to those of the local Han Chinese, including traditional festivals such as the Spring Festival (春节), Lantern Festival (元宵节), Qingming Festival (清明节), Dragon Boat Festival (端午节), Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋节), Chongyang Festival (重阳节), and New Year’s Eve (除夕). These are also considered Zhuang seasonal festivals. The Zhuang people have some unique festivals, such as the “Third of March Song Festival” (“三月三”歌节), “Ox Soul Festival” (牛魂节), and “Zhongyuan Festival” (中元节).

The Zhuang people hold several regular folk song gatherings throughout the year, with the “Third of March Song Festival” (“三月三”歌节) being the most grand. The Zhuang are renowned for their singing ability. As early as the Han Dynasty, Liu Xiang’s Shuoyuan (说苑) recorded songs sung by the Zhuang ancestors, such as the Yue Ren Ge (越人歌) from the pre-Qin period. Zhuang folk songs are diverse in form and content, with some being only two or three lines long, while others are more complex with several verses. The seven-character lines and rhythmic patterns are widely used. There are various types of songs, including guessing songs (also known as “Pai Ge” 猜歌), wedding songs (哭嫁歌), housewarming songs (贺新居歌), life songs (生活歌), agricultural songs (农事歌), political songs (时政歌), historical songs (历史歌), and more. Zhuang songs are characterized by their ability to express emotions and connect with nature, often using metaphors, riddles, and poetic forms to convey vivid and moving lyrics.

Key Zhuang Festivals

“Third of March Festival” (Song Festival) (“三月三”歌节)

• Time: The third day of the third lunar month (some places, such as Shizong County (师宗县), are fixed to April 13-17)

• Location: Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture (文山壮族苗族自治州), Qujing City (曲靖市) Shizong County (师宗县) Wulong Tourism Town (五龙旅游小镇), etc.

• Theme: The festival centers around singing competitions and ancestor worship, with activities such as flower fairs (千花会), water splashing (狂欢泼水), and bonfire parties (篝火晚会). It showcases Zhuang folk culture. Shizong County (师宗县) hosts unique culinary experiences like the Zhuang Village Long Corridor Banquet (壮乡长廊宴).

Longduan Festival (陇端节)

• Time: The 25th to 28th day of the third lunar month (Fumin County (富宁县), 2025 fixed to April 30th)

• Location: Pu Ting River banks (普厅河) in Fumin County (富宁县), Nanuo Township (那能乡) Red Culture Square (红色文化广场), etc.

• Theme: A celebration under the theme of “Great Frontier Ethnic Reunion” (“边疆民族大联欢”), including long street feasts (长街宴), bamboo raft mountain song duets (竹筏山歌对唱), and various dance and song performances (歌舞表演).

Ox Soul Festival (Ox King Festival) (牛魂节/牛王节)

• Time: The 8th day of the fourth lunar month (some regions celebrate on the 8th of the sixth or eighth lunar month)

• Location: Zhuang agricultural regions in Yunnan, such as Wenshan Prefecture (文山州) and Qujing (曲靖)

• Theme: A ceremony to express gratitude to oxen, where people cease work and hold a sacrificial ceremony. They feed the oxen with five-colored sticky rice (五色糯饭), bathe the oxen, and in some areas, a community meal (聚餐) is organized.

Yabai Festival (娅拜节)

• Time: The fourth day of the fourth lunar month (Fumin County (富宁县), fixed to the fourth day of the fourth lunar month in Bo’ai Town (剥隘镇))

• Location: Yabai Mountain (娅拜山), Bo’ai Town (剥隘镇), Fumin County (富宁县)

• Theme: A commemoration of the female hero Yabai (娅拜), including sacrifices of cattle (杀牛), pigs (杀猪), and chickens (杀鸡), accompanied by copper drum performances (铜鼓演奏) and collective singing and dancing (集体歌舞).

Top-Spin Festival (陀螺节)

• Time: From the 27th day of the 12th lunar month to the 16th day of the first lunar month

• Location: Zhuang villages in Yunnan (e.g., Zhenkang County (镇康县))

• Theme: A traditional sports event centered around top-spin competitions (陀螺比赛), combining entertainment (娱乐) and competition (竞技), with some villages incorporating celebrations for the Spring Festival (春节).

Flower Granny Festival (花婆节)

• Time: The 29th day of the second lunar month or the 12th day of the third lunar month (regional variations)

• Location: Flower King Temple (花王庙) in Zhuang villages (e.g., Pumiao Town (蒲庙镇), Yongning District (邕宁区), Nanning (南宁))

• Theme: A festival to honor the fertility goddess “Flower Granny” (花婆), praying for the health and prosperity of children (子嗣安康). Some areas hold activities such as offering porridge (施粥) and lighting flower lanterns (放花灯).

Copper Drum Festival (铜鼓节)

• Time: The first, fifteenth, and thirtieth day of the first lunar month

• Location: Zhuang villages in Wenshan Prefecture (文山州), Guangnan County (广南县), and Malipo County (麻栗坡县)

• Theme: Drum ceremonies (击鼓祭祖) to honor ancestors, with young men forming teams to compete in copper drum skills (铜鼓技艺), showcasing the unique culture of Zhuang copper drums.

Additional Notes

Shared Festivals: Some Zhuang regions in Yunnan also participate in cross-ethnic festivals such as the Water Splashing Festival (傣族) and Fire Torch Festival (彝族), though the core traditions still focus on the “Third of March Song Festival” (“三月三”歌节).

Regional Variations: Some festival dates or names may differ slightly due to local customs, such as the Ox Soul Festival (牛魂节) dates.