Torch Festival in Weishan County, Dali
Overview
- Chinese Name:大理巍山彝族火把节
- English Name: Torch Festival in Weishan County, Dali
- Location: Weishan County, Dali
According to historical records, the Yi people’s Torch Festival originally fell on the 24th of the sixth lunar month, but it later evolved to the 25th. In the Yi villages surrounding the urban area, large torches are erected at the village entrances, and each household sets up small torches in front of their doors. The tops of the torches are adorned with “torch heads” made of paper shaped like a measuring cup, and the entire torch is surrounded by fire pears and candies. The “torch heads” and small colorful flags placed between the torches are inscribed with auspicious phrases such as “Purity and Safety,” “Good Weather for Crops,” “Prosperity of Livestock,” “Long Life and Abundance,” and “Wealth in All Seasons.” Families prepare rich meals after slaughtering chickens and sheep to offer to their ancestors, and married daughters are expected to return to their parental homes to celebrate the festival.
Introduction
In the evening, families set off firecrackers and fireworks, lighting the torches, causing the entire village to shine brightly. People hold small torches and sprinkle a fragrant powder (sometimes referred to as sandalwood flour) at others’ feet, sending flames shooting up as a gesture of blessing. Small torches are also placed around homes to drive away evil spirits and to protect the family from disasters and illnesses. Then, the whole village gathers with their torches in groups to the fields, lighting the torches and sprinkling the fragrant powder, praying for a good harvest, and some villages sing songs until dawn.
In the mountainous area to the west of the county town, on the morning of the Torch Festival, men carry rice to a designated location to offer sacrifices to the Miku spirit; some observe this ritual on the day after the festival. The main rituals include: once most household heads are gathered, a Yi priest known as Abu inserts three pine branches into the ground, placing offerings of three kinds of livestock, tea, and wine. A pig is slaughtered on site, and its head is presented in front of the pine branches, with incense lit and prayers recited. After the offering, pork and pig blood are cooked into congee, and after the congee is prepared, Abu recites prayers asking for the protection of the Earth Vein Dragon King, ensuring that the mountains, fields, and village remain intact, preventing disasters like hailstorms and ensuring abundant crops and long lives.
After the ritual, everyone shares a bowl of rice, and leftover pork and congee are distributed among households to take home. In the afternoon, families slaughter chickens and some sheep to offer to their ancestors. After dark, people light small torches in their homes and burn the multi-colored threads tied around their hands and feet during the Dragon Boat Festival. They sprinkle fragrant powder from the house to the yards and field edges, symbolizing the expulsion of evil spirits and the elimination of plagues and pests, wishing for long life and abundance. Most Yi villages erect large torches at the eastern entrance of the village, with sheep heads hanging from the torch poles, although nowadays they mostly just place the “torch heads” and colorful flags.
The origins of the Torch Festival vary by region, with various legends surrounding pursuits of the “White King,” worship of the Miku spirit, and practices for exorcising evils and avoiding misfortunes. Today, the Torch Festival has become a traditional ethnic festival celebrated by all ethnic groups in the county.
