What festivals do the Yi people in Yunnan have?

Yi nationality in Yunnan is one of the ethnic minorities in China, which has rich and colorful traditional festivals. The following are some important festivals of the Yi people in Yunnan:

1. Yi New Year (Miao Year): The Yi New Year is the most important traditional festival of the Yi people, usually held on the first day of the first lunar month. On this day, people will put on traditional Yi costumes and hold a grand sacrificial ceremony to pray for a bumper harvest and peace in the coming year. During the festival, people will also hold various traditional cultural activities, such as dragon and lion dances and fireworks.

2. March 3rd: March 3rd is a traditional festival of the Yi people, and it is also the "Valentine's Day" of the Yi people. On this day, people will put on holiday costumes and hold grand celebrations. Young Yi men and women will meet on the grass in the mountains and dance the traditional yi dance to express their love and blessings.

3. Torch Festival: Torch Festival is a traditional festival of Yi people, usually held on June 24th of the lunar calendar. On this day, people will light torches and dance around villages or fields to pray for a bumper harvest and peace in the coming year. Burning torches and cheerful dances add a unique atmosphere to the festival.

4. Horse racing festival: Horse racing festival is a traditional festival loved by Yi people, usually held in July or August of the lunar calendar. On this day, people will hold a grand horse race to show the Yi people's love for horses and their domestication skills. During the competition, the audience can enjoy wonderful equestrian performances and traditional Yi cultural activities.

5. Mountain Festival: Mountain Festival is a traditional festival of Yi people, usually held in October or November of the lunar calendar. On this day, people will hold a sacrificial ceremony on the mountain and pray for the mountain gods to protect people's safety and health. Mountain Festival is the expression of Yi people's awe and gratitude for nature.

These festivals not only enrich the life of Yi people, but also attract many tourists to experience the unique culture and customs of Yi people. In these festivals, the Yi people and tourists can feel the rich festive atmosphere and the hospitality of the Yi people.