The Water Splashing Festival is a traditional festival of the Yi ethnic group in Yunnan Province.
The Yi people are one of China's ethnic minorities, distributed in Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan and Guangxi. The Water Splashing Festival is one of the important activities for the Yi people to celebrate the New Year, and it is also one of their most representative festivals.
The Water Splashing Festival is usually held in the middle of March on the lunar calendar and lasts for about three days. During the Water Splashing Festival, the Yi people will put on their traditional ethnic costumes, sing and dance, and gather together. People hold containers full of water and splash each other to symbolize washing away the bad luck of the year and welcoming the arrival of a new year.
The Water Splashing Festival is one of the important ways for the Yi people to pass on and promote their ethnic culture. This festival not only has the significance of celebrating the New Year, but also emphasizes the significance of family and friends reunion, ancestor worship and praying for a good harvest in the coming year. In addition, the Water Splashing Festival attracts many tourists to come to see and participate in it, making it an important tourist and cultural activity and contributing positively to the development of the regional economy and tourism.
Features of the Water Festival:
1, Water Battle Fun: One of the most representative features of the Water Festival is that people use water as a medium for water battle. Young and old, men and women, people holding containers full of water, splashing each other, chasing and playing, enjoying the fun of water war. This activity is not only a way to celebrate the New Year, but also a way to strengthen the cohesion of communities and families.
2. Brilliant Colorful Costumes: During the Water Splashing Festival, the Yi people wear traditional colorful costumes to participate in the celebration. Men usually wear tops made of goose feathers or wool, mainly black, with red or blue belts and pants. Women, on the other hand, wear embroidered and decorated tops and long skirts with colorful head scarves and jewelry, displaying distinctive ethnic characteristics.
3. Traditional Songs and Dances: During the Water Splashing Festival, people perform traditional Yi songs and dances. The songs and dances usually express the blessing of the New Year, the celebration of the harvest and the emotion of gratitude. The song and dance performances not only attract the participation of the Yi people, but also the love and appreciation of tourists.
4. Abundant Cuisine: During the Water Splashing Festival, people will also prepare abundant food to celebrate. The Yi people will cook local specialties, such as fish in sour soup, pickled bean curd, hot and sour fat intestines and so on. These cuisines are not only sumptuous and delicious, but also reflect the Yi people's love of food and celebration.