New Year Festival of Hani Ethnic Minority in Jiangcheng County, Puer

Chinese Name: 江城县曲水镇三国哈尼历年节
English Name: New Year Festival of Hani Ethnic Minority in Jiangcheng County, Puer

The Hani New Year Festival (哈尼历年节), also known as Hani Festival (哈尼节), is an exciting cultural celebration in Qu Shui Town (曲水镇), Jiangcheng County (江城县), Puer (普洱), located at the border of three countries: China, Laos, and Vietnam. This special town, situated 65 kilometers away from the county center, holds an important geographical and cultural position, with a 74-kilometer border shared with these neighboring countries. The town’s unique location allows it to be a melting pot of diverse cultures and traditions, making the festival an unmissable event.

1. Festival Overview

Name:

• Hani New Year Festival (哈尼历年节), also known as Hani Festival (哈尼节).

Dates:

• Traditional: 8th day of the 11th lunar month (lasting for 3 days).

• Modern: December 20th to 22nd, 2025 (Gregorian Calendar).

Participating Ethnic Groups:

• The festival is primarily celebrated by the Hani (哈尼族) people, with participation from local communities of China (中国), Laos (老挝), and Vietnam (越南).

2. Key Activities

Grand Feast:

• The entire village gathers for a long street banquet (长街宴), sharing delicious traditional foods such as bamboo rice (竹筒饭), glutinous rice cakes (糯米粑粑), and smoked cured meats (烟熏腊肉).

• The 2024 festival will attract people from various ethnic groups, all dressed in their traditional costumes.

Cultural Performances:

• Hani dances (哈尼族舞蹈) such as “Gani Ni” (嘎尼尼) and “A Mi Che” (阿迷车) will be performed, along with Bai Dai (白傣) dances like the Bamboo Hat Dance (篾帽舞).

• There will also be performances from China (中国), Laos (老挝), and Vietnam (越南), including the show “Hani·Haa Xie” (哈尼·哈啊谢).

Sports Competitions:

• Traditional sports include men’s basketball (男子篮球), women’s Yami basketball (女子雅咪篮球), spinning top competitions (陀螺), and tug-of-war (拔河).

• The 2024 sports events will span 9 days, with 19 teams competing in various categories.

Bonfire Night:

• A bonfire (篝火) will be lit in the evening, where both locals and visitors gather around to sing and dance. Local bands will perform traditional songs, such as the “Hani Joyful Song” (哈尼欢歌).

3. Cultural Features

International Collaboration:

• The festival includes the “Three-Country Beanbag Festival” (三国丢包狂欢节), held jointly with Laos (老挝) and Vietnam (越南), featuring beanbag competitions (丢包比赛) and a cross-border trade fair (跨境商品交易会).

Intangible Cultural Heritage:

• Traditional crafts such as leaf blowing (树叶吹奏) and cow body painting (牛体彩绘) will be showcased as part of the festival’s cultural display.

Ecological Theme:

• The festival also incorporates ecological elements with celebrations like the Water-Splashing Festival (泼水节) and the Water-based Tea-Horse Road Cultural Festival (水上茶马古道文化节).

4. Modern Development

Cultural and Tourism Integration:

• In 2025, the festival will introduce new programs such as “Neighborly Friendship: Tea and Friendship” (睦邻友好·以茶会友), promoting cross-cultural exchanges and enhancing the festive atmosphere.

Economic Impact:

• The festival contributed 7.9861 million yuan (798.61万元) to tourism revenue in 2024, driving an 80% increase in local accommodation (餐饮住宿) and food & beverage sectors.

Legal Recognition:

• The Hani New Year Festival has been an official statutory holiday (法定节日) since 2006, serving as an important cultural event for the Hani (哈尼族) people and their neighboring countries.

5. 2024 Festival Schedule

The Hani New Year Festival (哈尼历年节) in Qu Shui Town (曲水镇) warmly welcomes visitors to experience the vibrant culture of the Hani (哈尼族) people. From traditional dances (哈尼族舞蹈) and delicious foods (竹筒饭, 糯米粑粑, 烟熏腊肉) to exciting sports competitions (男子篮球, 女子雅咪篮球) and cultural exchanges (跨境商品交易会), this festival is a wonderful celebration of the diverse traditions of the Hani (哈尼族), Laos (老挝), and Vietnam (越南) communities. Come and immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of the Hani (哈尼族) people, as they showcase their unique customs, making this an unforgettable experience for all who attend!