Qiqi | Dali Bai Torch Festival
Torch Festival is one of the most important traditional festivals of Bai nationality, held on the 25th day of the sixth lunar month every year. Torch Festival originated from fire worship, and was also called "New Fire Festival" in the old days. In Dali folklore, Torch Festival comes from the story of "burning Songming Tower", established to commemorate the loyal Lady Bai Jie. Before Torch Festival, women use Impatiens to dye their nails, which is also related to Lady Bai Jie. In addition to Torch Festival, the Sea Playing Festival on the eighth day of the eighth lunar month is also linked to Lady Bai Jie's suicide by jumping into the sea in Dengchuan and Xizhou areas.
The most important form of the Torch Festival is to make giant torches. This is the most important custom in every village. Experienced craftsmen must be involved in making torches every year. Dry pine wood and pine cones are tied into large torches that are 10 to 20 meters high or even higher, and set up in the village square or important locations. Men are usually responsible for tying the torches, while women are responsible for burning incense and praying for blessings.
The top of the torch is a bamboo and paper handmade bucket, which is the core decoration of the torch and symbolizes auspicious meanings such as good harvest, peace and prosperity, and good weather. Handmade paper colored flags and fruits are often hung on the edge of the bucket and on the torch. The most special fruit is the torch pear, which matures around the Torch Festival and has red stripes on the sun-dried side, symbolizing abundant harvest. After the torch is burned, the villagers scramble to grab the bucket when it falls. It is said that whoever grabs it will have good luck.
The craftsmanship of making Shengdou is a paper-making technique with regional characteristics. The number of layers of Shengdou varies, and the meanings are also different. Some Shengdou will have a circle of lotus platform at the bottom, but the overall meaning is good. According to legend, the largest Shengdou in Zhoucheng requires hundreds of people to work together to make it. The business tradition in Xizhou also makes them focus on information such as seeking wealth in four seasons on the inscriptions on Shengdou.
During the Dragon Boat Festival, people in Dali tie colorful ropes on their hands to ensure safety and ward off evil spirits and avoid disasters. During the Torch Festival, they throw the colorful ropes into the fire to burn. Fire symbolizes purification and rebirth. Throwing the colorful ropes that absorb evil spirits and bad luck into the torches means that the disasters of the old year will be completely dissipated with the flames.
Throwing rosin powder is also an important part of the Torch Festival. For safety reasons, it is usually thrown towards the fire source or thrown from a lowered torch. The flame that instantly explodes symbolizes the exorcism of evil spirits and the bringing of light. Wherever the fire shines, it eliminates diseases and disasters. Some villages retain the ancient custom of holding torches and scattering rosin in the rice fields late at night, aiming to burn pests and protect the harvest.
The Bai and Yi peoples around Dali all celebrate the Torch Festival, but Fengyang does not light fires during the Torch Festival. Legend has it that the Phoenix in the village was scared away during the Torch Festival. Since then, the Torch Festival in Fengyang has been lively even without fire. There are horse races on the Ancient Tea Horse Road, and the horse hooves fall on the smooth stone road, like a pleasant tune. A stage is set up in the small square in the village, and Bai folk tunes, Dabenqu, and Sanxian are melodious.
The most exciting part is grabbing noodles. As long as you can grab a bowl of noodles during the Fengyang Torch Festival, there is an unlimited supply. One year, I was responsible for grabbing noodles. Relying on my height and physique, I successfully broke through hundreds of people. If you are afraid of fire and want to participate in the excitement of the Torch Festival, I highly recommend going to Fengyang.
🔥Torch Festival tips:
Dali Ancient Town March Street: The closest to the ancient town, usually torches are lit after nightfall, and people gather along Cangshan Gate to the center of the March Street Square. This year's big torches have been set up; the night market and bonfire dances will also be very lively;
Zhoucheng: The most original Bai Torch Festival around Dali. In the past, the torches in Zhoucheng were the largest in the nearby villages!
Eryuan West Lake: The Water Torch Festival is quite special. You can hold torches and cruise around the West Lake at night. The light of the fire and the stars are reflected in the lake. It’s beautiful just to think about it.
🔥Torch Festival purchase tips:
The combination of large and small torches, buckets and colorful flags are necessary decorations, and other decorations such as fruits and pine branches can be made according to your own preferences;
You can sprinkle rosin powder many times after buying one bag, so don't use it too much; and pay attention to safety;
You can also buy two fire starters and insert them into the gaps of the big torch to make it easier to start the fire.
🔥Torch Festival Safety Matters:
When throwing rosin powder, do not throw it towards people's faces, hair or bodies, as it is very dangerous. Generally, keep the torch below the knee and throw it downwards; do not throw a large handful, a small handful is enough. Happy holidays, safety first
