The Yi Torch Festival
ncluded in this website is information about the Torch Festival. This is one of the biggest events of the year for the Yi people from the south-west of China. This festival occurs on the 24th of June every year and is a truly great sight to behold.
During the festival, numerous torches are lit and the celebrations continue for three days. Yi culture is far removed from life in Western countries, the British countryside, pubs, video games, partypoker are very different to the ancient and little-changed traditions of the Yi. The Torch Festival is one of the aspects of the local cultures that is fascinating to outsiders.
It is thought that this tradition originated because the ancestors of the people now living in south-western China used to worship fire. It was their belief that fire repelled insects and evils, as well as protecting the growth of crops. As night falls in the villages, the torches light up the sky and singing and dancing commences. This is a magical time when parties last all night and prayers for a good harvest are made.
There are also many more activities which go on as part of the festival. The Yi people hold horse races with torches as hurdles, as well as arrow-shooting and tug-of-war. In Sichuan, grand torch parades are held by the Lisu people which is a very impressive sight to see.
A prominent thing about this festival is that it provides an opportunity for many young men and women to find their prospective spouses. The women dress up in costume, and there is even a costume contest in the afternoon for both men and women from the respective tribes. All assemble on stage and are judged.
Perhaps the most spectacular sight of the whole event occurs when the fire-worship ritual really begins. Light fills all corners of the field, a ceremony with prayers is undertaken, before celebrations and dancing around bonfires.
