Under the influence of long-term history, society and tradition, the Gelao people have formed ancestor worship and nature worship, believing that "everything is animistic" and God is with them. In order to commemorate the ancestors who moved to Yanbian, such as Yang, Li, Xiong, Zhu, Luo, etc., so that the souls of the ancestors can meet with the clansmen, and the tree gods will bless the good weather and the safety of people and animals in the coming year, the "Farewell Festival" is held on the seventh day of the first month of each year to express the strong determination of the clansmen to overcome nature.
On the sixth day of the first month, "Pi Mou" assigned young people to go up the mountain to collect seven different kinds of wild flower branches, put them on palm plates, carry baskets on their backs, and collect sacrificial items donated by the people from house to house in the village. On the morning of the seventh day, Pimou led the whole family to send the pre-brewed "smashing wine", meat and sacrifices to the sacred tree in the forest behind the village. The tree is covered with sheep's heads and red ribbons, and "hundred meats" are cooked in a big pot. Seven-colored flower branches are used to worship the altar. All women over 65,438+02 years old are not allowed to enter the sacrifice site. After "Pimou" burned incense to worship his ancestors, he began to sing sacrificial songs ... After the sacrifice, he put "Hundred Meat" on the ground covered with fluffy hair, poured "smashing wine" and the people drank as much as they could. The elders get together to discuss the important events and inheritance of the clan. Women take out their embroidery, insoles and sachets to comment and bless each other, while young people shoot at the target with muskets and crossbows. In the evening, I danced the pot dance around the bonfire all night.
The "Farewell Festival" of the Gelao nationality is a precious and endangered intangible cultural heritage in Yanbian, which integrates history, art and science. It has rich historical accumulation, strong regional characteristics and extensive participation of the masses, and has been passed down among the people for hundreds of years. "Farewell Festival" keeps the ancient culture active in modern life. This grand mass activity is a demonstration of folk culture and art, which embodies people's hearts, glows the national spirit and enhances national unity and progress.