Other Ethnic Group Festivals
China has 55 ethnic groups
and each have their own festivals. Below some of
the festivals are described.
1. Nadam Fair of the Mongol
Date: Between July and August every year
Place: Inner Mongolia
Activities: Horse racing, wrestling, archery etc.
Remark: In Mongolian, Nadam means "recreation or game". The festival is a
traditional gathering of the Mongolian people in Inner Mongolia, held annually
in July or August when the pastures are at their greenest, and usually lasts
between three and ten days. The festival is celebrated with Horse racing,
wrestling, archery and other competitions as well as theatrical performances.
Agricultural products, by-products, native products and animal products from
different prefectures are exchanged at the fair.
During the festival, tourists may participate in horse racing, archery, or enjoy
an imperial banquet of the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), or local wedding
ceremonies, a memorial ceremony at the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan, also tours
highlighting Mongolian customs.
2. The Torch Festival of the
Yi ethnic group in Liangshan, Sichuan Province
Date: July 23-28
Place: Sichuan Province
Activities: Bullfighting, horse races, cockfighting, sheep fighting, singing
contests, a Yi ethnic group beauty contest, wrestling, local-style dance
contest, a torch parade and bonfire party.
3. Tibetan Shoton Festival
of Tibetan
Date: August (from the end of the sixth month to the early part of the eighth
month of the Tibetan calendar)
Place: Lhasa, Tibet
Activities: The Shoton Festival is also known as the Yogurt Banquet Festival. It
is one of the grandest festivals in Tibet. During the festival, traditional
Tibetan operas will be performed and fairs/markets will be held.
4. Water-Splashing Festival
Date: New Year's Day on the Dai calendar is usually in the middle of April.
Place: Yunnan province
Activities: The festival of the Dai people usually lasts for 3-5 days.
Ceremonies are held to pray in Buddhist temples and clean dust off Buddhist
statues. Also, a Peacock dance is performed, dragon-boat racing and other sports
competitions are organized, and people sprinkle water on each other as an
expression of good wishes.
5. Tibetan New Year
Date: January 1st on Tibetan calendar
Place: Tibet
Activities: Special ceremonies are held on the day. On the eve of the festival,
every household will paint lucky signs with wheat flour on kitchen walls and
gates. Resin is burned on the roof, while painted seedlings of cereal crops and
ears of wheat are displayed in the house. The first day of the festival is for
family reunion. On the second day, people will go to call on their relatives and
friends. The festival is also observed with wrestling, horse racing, archery and
other sports competitions. Grand groups dancing and Tibetan operas are
performed.
6. The Great Prayer Festival
Date: January 8th through to the 14th of the Tibetan calendar
Place: The Jokhang Temple, Lhasa
Activities: It is the grandest religious festival in Tibet. Thousands of monks
far and near will gather for prayers, theological debates and examinations are
taken for Geshe, a doctoral degree in Buddhist theology, at the lamasery.
Pilgrims travel from everywhere to listen to the sermons.
7. Nero Festival
Date: Around March 22nd.
Place: Inking
Activities: The festival is held among the Kazak ethnic group. As an interesting
activity during the festival, a game is held called girl chasing! While riding from
the starting point of the horse race to the end, boys can play jokes with girls or even
confide their love. Girls are not allowed to sulk and can also chase after
the boys whilst riding their horse. If a girl catches up with a boy, she whips him,
while he is not allowed to fight back, if the girl likes the boy, she will just
wave her whip in the air.
8. Horse Race Festival in
Qiangtang
Date: The last 10-day period of August (between the end of the seventh month and
the early part of the eighth month of the Tibetan calendar)
Place: Nakchu Prefecture, Tibet
Activities: Horse races, archery shooting races, horsemanship performances.
9. Knife-Pole Festival
Date: February 8th on the Lunar calendar, usually in March.
Place: Yunnan province
Activities: It is a traditional festival of the Lisu ethnic group. 'Usually' on the eve
before the festival, brave warriors will dance and jump in the fire
barefoot. The most fascinating activity during the festival is to climb up
20 meter high poles inserted with 36 or 72 sharp knives. Performers have to
climb barefoot!
10. The Butter Lamp Festival
Date: January 15th on the Tibetan calendar
Place: The Jokhang Temple, Lhasa
Activities: Unique butter lamps exhibition and all night singing and dancing.