Torch Festival of Yi people has been a fiery carnival for thousands of years.

The Torch Festival of Yi people is a traditional festival in Yi areas of China, and it is also an important part of minority culture in China. This festival is usually held on June 24th of the lunar calendar every year, which is one of the important ways for Yi people to celebrate and pray for a bumper harvest. The history of the Torch Festival of the Yi people can be traced back to 1000 years ago, and it still maintains strong cultural characteristics and unique folk customs of the Yi people.

The origin of torch festival

The Torch Festival of the Yi people originated from the sacrificial activities of the Yi people, originally to pray for a bumper harvest and peace in the coming year. Legend has it that the Torch Festival originated from the legend of a Yi hero. The hero lit up the enemy with a torch in the battle and finally won. To commemorate this hero, the Yi people began to hold the Torch Festival. With the passage of time, Torch Festival has gradually evolved into a festival to celebrate harvest and pray for peace.

Inheritance of Torch Festival

Torch Festival of Yi people is a traditional cultural activity passed down from generation to generation. On the festival day, Yi people will wear traditional costumes, hold torches and dance around the altar in the village. The inheritance of Torch Festival is not only a cultural tradition, but also a manifestation of Yi people's confidence in their own national culture.

Operation steps of torch festival

1. Prepare torches

Torch is the core prop of Torch Festival, so prepare the torch several days in advance. Torch materials are mainly bamboo, hay, charcoal and so on. First, put hay and charcoal into the bamboo, then tie the bamboo tightly with a rope, and finally light a torch at the top of the bamboo.

2. Wear traditional Yi costumes

Torch Festival is an important festival of Yi people, so it is necessary to wear traditional Yi costumes. Traditional Yi costumes usually consist of coats, trousers, belts and shoes. Traditional Yi costumes in different regions are different, but they are all characterized by bright colors and exquisite embroidery.

Dance around the altar

The last part of Torch Festival is dancing around the altar. Yi people hold torches and dance around the altar to express their admiration for the gods and gratitude for the harvest.

The significance of torch festival

Torch Festival is an important part of Yi culture and one of the important representatives of China minority culture. Torch Festival is not only a traditional cultural activity, but also a manifestation of Yi people's confidence in their own national culture. The inheritance and development of Torch Festival is not only the responsibility of the Yi people, but also a contribution to the cultural diversity of all mankind.