Tianfengshan Mountain Song Festival in Dali
Basic Introduction
- Chinese Name:祥云天峰山歌会
- English Name: Tianfengshan Mountain Song Festival in Xiangyun County, Dali
- Location: Xiangyun County, Dali
- Festival date: 15th day of the second month in the lunar calendar.
The most famous event at Tianfeng Mountain in Xiangyun County is the annual Tianfeng Song Festival, which is a traditional holiday for the ethnic minorities in Dali. During this time, people of various ethnic groups, primarily Yi, from Xiangyun County, Midu County, and counties such as Nanhua, Yao’an, and Dayao in Chuxiong Prefecture, along with tourists, gather here to participate in grand activities that include chanting scriptures, singing, joyous singing competitions, romantic duets, and spring outings to enjoy the beautiful scenery, which are the main highlights of the festival.
“Pluck the strings and dance on your feet, jump up to make the yellow-gray medicine.” This is a vivid description of the Puji Town Tianfeng Song Festival, characterized by its vibrant ethnic flavor. Mount Tianfeng is renowned as the “First Mountain of Daoism from the South,” and the Tianfeng Song Festival originated from the Daoist activity known as the “Laojun Birthday Celebration.”
At the start of the festival, traditional rituals are performed amidst the majestic sounds of the mountain horns, praying for national peace and stability. Following the rituals, there will be performances of ancient cave music, which should not be missed.
During the festival, singers from all corners of the country gather at the singing grounds to sing passionately, forging friendships through song and expressing emotions through music. The repertoire features traditional Yi folk songs, heartfelt duets, and melodious solo performances by women, all of which embody a heartfelt commitment to preserving cultural roots and celebrating the shared prosperity of various ethnic groups.
Festival Activities
Tianfeng Mountain in Xiangyun County, Dali Prefecture, Yunnan Province, commonly known as Laojun Mountain, is one of the famous Taoist mountains in Southwest China. The Taoist buildings on the mountain, such as temples, pavilions, and halls, were mostly built during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Tianfeng Mountain is located at the junction of Xiangyun, Yao’an, and Nanhua counties, and is characterized by its steep terrain and picturesque landscape. It is a well-known tourist destination in Yunnan, celebrated for its natural scenery and Taoist culture.
Festival Origin
The Xiangyun Tianfeng Mountain Song Festival originates from the Taoist activity “Laojun Shengdan Festival” at Tianfeng Mountain. The Lao Jun Shengdan Festival has a history of over 500 years. Since the Ming Dynasty, on the 15th day of the second lunar month each year, a grand Lao Jun Festival has been held at Tianfeng Mountain, attracting tens of thousands of Yi and Han compatriots from all directions. They gather at Laojun Mountain to participate in various activities and celebrate with singing and dancing. An inscription from the 57th year of the Qianlong Emperor states: “Every year on the 15th day of the second lunar month, people from all directions flock together, gathering at the heavenly capital, playing music and dancing, singing songs with great joy, preserving the ancient pure customs.” After several hundred years of inheritance and evolution, it has developed into the current Xiangyun Tianfeng Mountain Song Festival.
Festival Culture
During the Xiangyun Tianfeng Mountain Song Festival, the atmosphere is lively and crowded, with songs resonating throughout the mountains. Apart from the grand and solemn Taoist activities, singing is the main event. People from various places, particularly talented Yi singers and dancers dressed in festive attire, gather at Tianfeng Mountain. In the singing area, they join hands to form a circle while playing the lusheng (a kind of bamboo flute), sanxian (a three-stringed instrument), and flute to create melodious music. People dance with vibrant energy or gentle grace, often celebrating throughout the night. The Xiangyun Tianfeng Mountain Song Festival is also one of the best gatherings for young men and women to find their partners.
