The Festival Customs of Dai People's Songkran Festival

Legend of the Water-splashing Festival

Legend 1: Legend of Dai people in Xishuangbanna: In ancient times, there was a demon king who did many evils. People hated him deeply and tried every means to kill him. Later, the devil took seven girls as his wives. The clever seven girls learned his fatal weakness from the devil's mouth, that is, strangling the devil with his hair to kill him. Seven girls pulled out the devil's hair while he was sleeping. Strangled, the devil's head rolled down. But as soon as the head landed, the ground caught fire, and as soon as the girl picked up her head, the fire went out. In order not to catch fire, she and her six sisters take turns to hold the devil's head and change it once a year. When people change people every year, people throw water on the girl who holds the head, washing away the blood stains on her body, washing away her fatigue for one year, and praying for the new year to eliminate disasters and difficulties. Since then, the Songkran Festival has been formed.

Legend 2: According to legend, a long time ago, A Dai village near Jinsha River lived in the depths of a dense forest. Because the forest is on fire, the villagers are in danger of being swallowed up by the fire. Li Liang, a native of A Dai, rushed out of the fire net to protect his village, picked buckets of water from the Jinsha River and threw a mountain fire. After a day and a night of hard work, the mountain fire was finally put out and the villagers were saved. Li Liang is sweating and thirsty. The villagers called Qingshui to quench Li Liang's thirst, but drinking 99 barrels of water could not quench his thirst. Later, Li Liang jumped into the river, became a dragon, and went along the river. Some people say that he has become a big tree. To commemorate Li Liang, every year on the third day of the third lunar month, Dai people clean every household, sprinkle pine leaves, and build a half-mile-long green shed along selected rivers or wells. The shed is covered with thick pine needles, and there are water tanks filled with water on both sides. At noon, when the sun is at the top, everyone goes under the shed and sprays pine branches on each other to express their memory of Li Liang and their wishes for the New Year. This activity has continued to this day and has become a festival for the Dai people to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new year-the Water-splashing Festival.

Legend 3: In ancient times, there was a demon named Peng Ma Da Zha who did whatever he wanted against the will of the gods, causing the world to suffer from rain and drought, regardless of hot and cold, seedling death and human and animal suffering. How to punish this demon? Ying Da, a wise SHEN WOO, had a plan, that is, he dressed up as a handsome young man, approached the seven daughters who were holding Madian Dalachai and told them the truth. These seven girls are kind-hearted and full of resentment against their father's sins. At this point, they are determined to kill their father and save the world. One day, they finally discovered the "secret" of their father's life and death, took the opportunity to get him drunk, quietly pulled out one of his hairs, made a bow (that is, a bow made of heartstrings), and broke the devil's head. However, the head that fell to the ground turned into a new disaster. In a short time, evil fire raged, bamboo buildings were burned and crops were burned. Seven girls spun the devil's arm until it rotted. Every time they take turns to bring clean water, spill it on each other and remove the dirt. Seven Sisters's brave actions and achievements of putting righteousness above family interests have been warmly praised by people all over the world. Deep nostalgia turned into permanent respect. In order to commemorate the publication of Mahabharata's method of rebuilding the wind, rain and heat, people set the day when Madian Dalaza's head was rotted by the devil as the day of splashing water. On this day, after bathing in the Buddha, people splash water on each other and wish each other good luck, well-being and long-term happiness.

Songkran Festival activities

The water-splashing festival is coming, and the Dai people are busy killing pigs, chickens and making wine. They also have to make many "rice cakes" and Baba made of various glutinous rice to eat during festivals.

The Songkran Festival lasts for three days. On the first day, rowing dragon boats, flying high and performing arts; Splash water the next day; On the third day, young men and women lost their bags together and exchanged materials.

The Songkran Festival is usually held on the banks of the beautiful Lancang River. When the dawn reflected the "City of Dawn", people of all ethnic groups dressed in costumes gathered here from all directions. At the command, one by one rose into the sky, like an arrow of a dragon boat, and went straight to the other side. At this time, thousands of golden bamboos played together, gongs and drums rang, and the Lancang River suddenly became a sea of joy.

At the beginning of water splashing, the polite Dai girl said a blessing, while soaking bamboo leaves and branches in the water in the basin and splashing each other. At the climax, people use copper bowls, washbasins and even buckets to hold water and play and chase in the streets. They only feel that the water in front of them and the water behind them are soaked from head to toe, but people are in high spirits and full of laughter everywhere. After a period of water baptism, people form a circle and dance with the accompaniment of gongs, drums and elephant feet drums, regardless of nationality, age and occupation. Excited, people also burst into cheers of "water, water, water". Some men jump and drink, staying up all night.

"Packet loss" is the most romantic, and it is often a special game for unmarried Dai youth. Treasure is a symbol of love. Made by Dai girls with cotton seeds, the four corners of the bag are decorated with colorful flowers. When the bag was lost, men and women stood in a row on the grassy lawn. First, the Dai girl threw the bag to the boy, and then the boy threw it to the girl to convey their feelings. In this way, flowers fly around, and finally the feelings communicate to a certain extent. The two sides quietly withdrew from the packet loss field and found a quiet place to whisper to each other.

In the Songkran Festival, young people splash water, just like blooming silver flowers.

Unforgettable Songkran Festival

Zhou Enlai:1961April 13 ~ 15, the beloved premier Zhou Enlai came to Jinghong, the beautiful hometown of peacocks, to celebrate the annual Dai New Year Water Splashing Festival with people of all ethnic groups in the border areas. The traffic in Jinghong was blocked in those days. Premier Zhou arrived in Simao by plane and took a bus instead. The Lancang River Bridge is under construction, so we can only cross it by ferry. With the arrival of the people and Premier China, the whole town is boiling. People tell each other, help the old and carry the young, embrace flowers and flock to the streets and docks, and greet the people's prime minister with the highest etiquette of the nation.

Xishuangbanna in April is the season when phoenix flowers bloom. Under the flaming phoenix flower tree, Premier Zhou put on Dai costumes with great interest, holding silver pots and splashing water on each other to bless the people of all ethnic groups. Since then, Xishuangbanna Jinghong has gradually become famous throughout the country and even the world, and now it has become a famous tourist attraction at home and abroad.

During Jinghong, Premier Zhou inspected the rubber garden introduced by Tropical Crops Research Institute, and encouraged builders from all over the country to make efforts to build Xishuangbanna into the second largest rubber base in the motherland.

Water-sprinkling festival custom

Traditional festivals of Dai, Achang, De 'ang, Bulang and Wa. Dai language calls the New Year "Jingbimai" and the Songkran Festival "Hounan". Therefore, the Songkran Festival is a symbol of the Dai people's alternation of old and new over the years.

The Songkran Festival usually lasts for three to five days in mid-April of Gregorian calendar and mid-June of Dai calendar. The first day is called "more than ten thousand miles", which means New Year's Eve, and the last day is called "eighty thousand horses", which means "the day when the king comes", which is New Year's Day. The middle is called "wrist brain", which means "empty sky". Every festival, we should carry out activities such as splashing water, losing bags, rowing dragon boats, flying high, worshiping Buddha and going to the market.

On the morning of the first day of the festival, people gathered flowers and green leaves to worship in the Buddhist temple, and built four or five pagodas in the temple. Secular beings sit around the tower, listen to the Buddha chanting, and then carry the Buddha to the courtyard. All the women in the village came to meet the Buddha with clear water. After the Buddhist temple ceremony, young men and women stopped splashing water on each other for fun, so the people began splashing water. People use copper bowls, washbasins and even buckets to hold water, squeeze out of the streets, play chasing games and throw it at everyone. People think this is auspicious water, blessed water, which can eliminate disasters and get rid of diseases, so people splash it whenever they like, regardless of whether it is splashed or not, although it is soaked from head to toe, it is still very happy. I saw the waves in full bloom in the crowd, forming a rainbow under the reflection of the sun, full of laughter and laughter everywhere.

In addition to splashing water, there are also mass song and dance activities. Old people in their seventies and eighties put on holiday costumes and came to the village square. Men, women and children form a circle and dance with the drums. Some dance "peacock dance", some dance "Euler Ah", some improvise, sing and dance, with beautiful movements, clear rhythm and moving songs. Jump in high spirits, or burst into cheers of "water, water, water", or end with the song of "Euler, Euler". Some men drink while dancing, such as getting drunk, staying up late, and even getting drunk on the dance floor.

During the festival, dragon boat races are held on the broad Lancang River. There are colorful flowers on the wooden boat, dressed as Jackie Chan, peacock and big fish, and dozens of young men and women are struggling to paddle forward. The audience on both sides of the strait is like a cloud, and the sound of gongs and drums and cheers resounded through the sky. After the competition, the winner came to the podium to receive the prize and drank the celebration wine.

In the evening, the village set off fireworks. This is the fireworks made by the Dai people. It uses a bamboo that is dozens of feet long, and its root is filled with gunpowder and other ingredients and placed on an elevated bamboo. When the fuse is lit and the gunpowder burns, bamboo shoots soar into the sky like rockets, emitting gorgeous fireworks in the air, just like flowers, and the stars are shining and dazzling, making the night sky of the festival particularly beautiful. Those who are promoted to the highest position will be appreciated and rewarded.

There will also be activities such as packet loss during the Songkran Festival. Young men and women seek partners through packet loss and express their affection.

The water-splashing festival is coming, and the Dai people are busy killing pigs, chickens and making wine. They also have to make many "rice cakes" and Baba made of various glutinous rice to eat during festivals.

The Songkran Festival lasts for three days. On the first day, rowing dragon boats, flying high and performing arts; Splash water the next day; On the third day, young men and women lost their bags together and exchanged materials.

The Songkran Festival is usually held on the banks of the beautiful Lancang River. When the dawn reflected the "City of Dawn", people of all ethnic groups gathered here from all directions in festive costumes. At the command, one by one rose into the sky, and one dragon boat arrow went straight to the other side. At this time, thousands of golden bamboos played together, gongs and drums rang, and the Lancang River suddenly became a sea of joy.

At the beginning of water splashing, the polite Dai girl said a blessing while dipping bamboo leaves and branches into the water in the basin and splashing each other. At the climax, people use copper bowls, washbasins and even buckets to hold water and play and chase in the streets. They only feel that the water in front of them and the water behind them are soaked from head to toe, but people are in high spirits and full of laughter everywhere. After a period of water baptism, people form a circle and dance with gongs and elephant-foot drums, regardless of nationality, age and occupation. Excited, people also burst into cheers of "water, water, water". Some men jump and drink, staying up all night.

Thailand Songkran Festival

April 13 every year is the Songkran Festival in Thailand. Gan Song is Sanskrit, which means "the sun moves to Aries, which means the beginning of a new solar year". The Songkran Festival lasts for three days and is the hottest time of the year in Thailand. Clean the house and burn old clothes before the festival to avoid bad luck. On the day of the festival, sand towers should be piled in the temple, colorful flags should be inserted and flowers should be presented to pray for a bumper harvest. In the evening, the perfume soaked in petals is sprinkled on the arms and backs of the elders to express their best wishes to the elders; Afterwards, the elders showered water on the heads of the younger generation to show their blessings.

The annual Thai New Year-Songkran Festival is coming. From April 13, the whole Thailand has been shrouded in jubilation for three consecutive days. At this moment, Thais usually splash water on each other to celebrate, so it is also called the Water-splashing Festival.

The traditional custom of splashing water means that you can wash away the setbacks of the past year and start a new year. Now the Songkran Festival is full of interesting ingredients, so don't be angry when you go to Thailand and get soaked at this time! In fact, the tradition of the Songkran Festival is not unique to Thailand. For example, neighboring countries such as Myanmar and Cambodia also celebrate this festival at the same time.

On this day, men, women and children will put on new clothes and bring offerings to the temple to worship monks. Housewives are the busiest in the new year. On New Year's Eve, they are busy cleaning the environment inside and outside the house, and old clothes or things at home will be set on fire, because according to tradition, not throwing away old things or useless things will bring bad luck. On the afternoon of April 13, people will wash the Buddha statue, and at the same time, the younger generation will pour perfume into the hands of their elders and parents, representing respect and blessing for their parents and elders.

In Pattaya, some celebrations are held at this time of the year, such as food exhibitions, float parades, beauty contests and various fireworks displays. In Chiang Mai, there will be beauty contests and parades. In Thailand, it is very important to pursue the distance carefully, so people will also take their ancestors' urns to temples to hold sacrificial ceremonies and pray for blessing.

De 'ang Songkran Festival

De 'ang people also celebrate the Songkran Festival. On the seventh day after Tomb-Sweeping Day, the most distinctive custom of the De 'ang People's Songkran Festival is to wash the hands and feet of the elders, in addition to splashing water for blessing and dancing elephant drums. At that time, the younger generation of each family should prepare a pot of hot water and put it in the center of the hall, invite their parents and other elders to come out and sit in the hall, kowtow to them and ask them to forgive their filial piety in the past year. The elders should also review what they have not done enough in the past year to set an example for the younger generation. Then, the younger generations wash their hands and feet for their elders and wish each other a harmonious and hardworking atmosphere in the coming year. If parents die, brothers and sisters, sister-in-law and brother-in-law will all become the objects of washing hands and feet. This custom comes from an old legend: On the seventh day after Tomb-Sweeping Day died, a disobedient son worked in the mountains. Seeing the scene of young birds feeding back, he realized something and decided to treat his mother well. At this time, his mother was preparing to come to the mountain to deliver food to her son and accidentally slipped. Her son came to help her, but she thought his son had come to hit her and ran into a tree. My son is very regretful. He cut down the tree and carved it into a statue of his mother. Every year, on the seventh day after Tomb-Sweeping Day's death, he would wash the statue in warm water sprinkled with petals. Later it evolved into a custom.

De 'ang Songkran Festival is similar to Dai Songkran Festival, but it is different. Most of them are held in the middle of April in the solar calendar. Near the festival, people are busy making new clothes, rice husks, hoses, buckets and other water splashing tools. Old believers gathered in the Buddhist temple, set up huts during the Songkran Festival to welcome the dust for the statue of Sakyamuni and set up water hoses. The hose is carved from a thick piece of wood, about four or five meters long, with new colored paintings and nicks on it. When splashing water, the girl carries the bucket and ends the basin, pours auspicious water into the trough, and flows to the Buddha statue in the hut to welcome the dust for the Buddha. Then, the venerable elders hold flowers, dip them in water and gently sprinkle them on the people around them to bless everyone and congratulate the beginning of the new year. At this time, people began to get excited and congratulate each other on the New Year. Young people hold buckets high above their heads and sprinkle water droplets on the hands of the elderly, wishing people happiness, health and longevity. The old people held out their hands, with water sticks in their hands, and read greetings to express their congratulations and blessings to the young people. After the ceremony, people lined up elephant feet drums and flocked to springs and rivers, singing and dancing, chasing each other and splashing water. The Songkran Festival is not only a ceremony for De 'ang people to celebrate the New Year, but also a good opportunity for young men and women to fall in love and find their sweethearts. De 'ang people are popular to string bamboo baskets for their favorite girls in the dead of night, and the most beautiful ones should be given to their favorite girls to express their love and test each other's reaction. Therefore, at this time, every girl often receives several bamboo baskets, but who do girls really love? It depends on who gave the bamboo basket on the girl's back on the day of the water-splashing festival. On this day, all the girls are carrying a delicate and beautiful bamboo basket, but whose is it? This time, the boy was too busy to stare at the bamboo basket on the girl's body and carefully identify whether the bamboo basket carried by his sweetheart was given to her by himself.