Torch Festival of Naxi Ethnic Minority

Chinese Name:纳西族火把节
English Name:  Torch Festival of Naxi Ethnic Minority

The Torch Festival (火把节) of the Naxi ethnic group (纳西族) is a traditional celebration that starts on the 24th day of the 6th lunar month and ends on the 27th day. Every year, Naxi families light a large torch in front of their homes, and the young people of the village walk along the fields and mountain paths, singing and carrying long torches until late at night. In November 2023, the Naxi Torch Festival was officially recognized as part of Lijiang (丽江)’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Festival Overview

Origin and Dates

Origin: The festival is rooted in the Naxi people’s reverence for fire. According to legend, the Fire God, who defied the Jade Emperor (玉皇大帝)’s command to burn the human world, turned his own blood into children to warn the people. This myth gave rise to the tradition of lighting torches to drive away evil spirits and pray for blessings.

Traditional Dates: The festival takes place from the 24th to the 27th of the 6th lunar month (For 2025, this will be from July 19th to 22nd).

Modern Activities: In 2025, celebrations in Lijiang (丽江) will extend until July 25th, with notable events in Ninglang County (宁蒗县) and Gucheng Village (古城文林村).

Core Rituals and Activities

Torch Lighting: Families set up large pine wood torches in front of their homes, gradually increasing the height each day to symbolize the illumination of fields and a prayer for good harvests.

Torch Parade: Young people carry long, thin torches along the fields and mountain roads, singing and dancing late into the night.

Special Celebrations in 2025

Gucheng Village, Lijiang (丽江古城文林村):

• Dongba Blessing Ceremony (东巴祈福): The Dongba priests (东巴祭司) chant scriptures and light the main torch. Naxi women (纳西姑娘) decorate the torches with fresh flowers.

• Long Street Feast (长街宴): A feast featuring Naxi (纳西) delicacies such as copper hotpot and smoked ribs, offered to both residents and tourists.

• Bonfire Dancing (篝火打跳): People gather around the fire to dance the Naxi Trilogy (纳西三部曲), dressed in traditional “Star and Moon” attire (披星戴月).

Ninglang Yi Township (宁蒗彝乡): The Naxi Torch Festival will merge with Yi ethnic dances (彝族达体舞) and torch parades, creating a spectacular “fire dragon” procession through the streets.

Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection

In 2023, the Torch Festival was included in the Lijiang (丽江) Intangible Cultural Heritage list. The core traditions, including torch-making (火把制作) and Dongba rituals (东巴仪式), continue to be passed down through generations.

Cultural Significance

Spiritual Meaning

The torch represents the purification of the soul, the driving away of evil, and the welcoming of good fortune. It embodies the Naxi people’s nature worship (自然崇拜) and agricultural culture (农耕文化).

Unity Among Ethnic Groups

The festival brings together the Naxi (纳西), Yi (彝), and Bai (白) ethnic groups to celebrate, making it an important cultural and tourism event during the summer months in Yunnan (云南).

Travel Tips

Recommended Locations

Gucheng Village (古城文林村) in Lijiang (丽江)

Shuhe Ancient Town (束河古镇) – Sifang Tingyin Square (四方听音广场)

Wange Square (万格广场) in Ninglang County (宁蒗县)

Important Notes

Torch Parade Safety: Be cautious of crowds during the torch parade and follow all local fire safety guidelines.

Respect for Dongba Ceremonies: Always ask for permission before photographing religious rituals.

Local Customs

Every evening during the Torch Festival, Naxi families (纳西家庭) light large, sturdy torches outside their homes, and the youth carry smaller torches along mountain paths, singing traditional songs into the night.

The Legend Behind the Festival

A long time ago, the Jade Emperor (玉皇大帝) in heaven ordered the Fire God (掌火天神) to burn the human world to keep the earthly pollution from rising to heaven. However, after some time, the Jade Emperor (玉皇大帝) became bored of the heavenly palace and decided to open the gates to take a look at the human world. Upon seeing the vibrant beauty of Earth, the Jade Emperor (玉皇大帝) became angry, realizing that his heavenly realm was far inferior to the human world. In his rage, he ordered the Fire God (掌火天神) to burn the world down.

The Fire God (掌火天神), upon visiting Earth, saw the flourishing life and could not bring himself to destroy it. Instead, he defied the Jade Emperor (玉皇大帝)’s order and lied, telling the Emperor (玉皇大帝) that the human world had been destroyed by fire. To prove this, he instructed the people to light torches in front of their doors to create the illusion of fire.

As the people lit their torches, they sang and danced throughout the night, fooling the Jade Emperor (玉皇大帝). Eventually, the Jade Emperor (玉皇大帝), seeing the “fire,” returned to heaven, leaving Earth unharmed. To commemorate this event, the Naxi people (纳西族) light torches every year on the 24th of the 6th lunar month, honoring the Fire God (掌火天神) and celebrating the survival of the human world.

Traditional Costume

The traditional attire worn during the festival is called “Star and Moon” (披星戴月), which is iconic of Naxi women (纳西妇女). In Lijiang (丽江), Naxi women (纳西妇女) wear wide-sleeved robes with a large collar, adorned with a “Seven Stars Sheepskin Cloak” (七星羊皮), which symbolizes the Big Dipper (北斗七星) and represents the hardworking nature of Naxi women (纳西妇女), who work tirelessly from dawn until night. The design of the cloak is said to resemble the shape of a frog, symbolizing the Naxi people (纳西人)’s reverence for both frogs and sheep, which were integral to their agricultural heritage.