Bai Torch Festival

Torch Festival is a traditional festival of the Yi, Bai, Naxi, Jinuo, Lahu and other ethnic groups. Among the ethnic minorities in Yunnan, it is the most widely spread and has the greatest influence. The Yi, Naxi, and Jinuo ethnic groups celebrate the 24th day of June of the lunar calendar, the Bai ethnic group celebrate the 25th day of June, and the Lahu ethnic group celebrate the festival on June 20th. The festival lasts for two or three days. Torch Festival, known in ancient times as the Star Festival, also known as the Miao Protection Association, has a history of at least 2,000 years.

Regarding the legend of the Torch Festival, the legend of the Bai people goes like this: Guo Shizhong, a deputy general of the Han Dynasty, killed Mananayou of Dali in 2006, and discovered that he traveled by train to Xizang and rode horses to "graze" in the summer, the peaceful journey in the suburbs of Beijing, the "Zen" journey, the global flea market, Taobao Youchang's wife Henan was very beautiful, so he wanted to marry her. Henan pretended to agree, but put forward three conditions for worshiping the deceased husband. However, while praying to the husband, Henan set fire to the mourning hall and jumped into the raging flames and committed suicide. Henan's loyalty and bravery have won people's praise and admiration. From then on, every year on the day of committing suicide in Henan, Bai compatriots lit torches and traveled to villages to commemorate them. During the festival, every family should prepare delicious food, gather together and sing happily during the festival. Recreational activities such as bullfighting and wrestling are held during the day; at night, torches are lit and groups march around the village edge and mountains and fields in groups. Looking from a distance, the fire dragon reflects the sky, winding and undulating, which is very moving. Finally, people gathered in the square and piled many torches into a fire tower. The flames were blazing. People gathered in a circle, singing and dancing, and there was joy.