Passionate "April 8th" & Joyful Water-Splashing Festival

In May, flame trees burst into full bloom across Dongpo Township. Their fiery red blossoms line village lanes and tint the whole hamlet red.

To carry forward ethnic traditional festivals, promote traditional virtues, explore outstanding ethnic culture and spread positive themes, Dongpo Township organized mass cultural events, sports competitions and popular science campaigns. These activities strengthen ethnic unity and harmony, and create a joyful and peaceful festival atmosphere for families. From May 13 to 14, the township held the traditional ethnic festival featuring the passionate "April 8th" celebration and the Water-Splashing Festival. The event was organized, enjoyed and celebrated by local villagers themselves.

The Dai Water-Splashing Festival, also known as the Buddha Bathing Festival, is called Sangkan Bimai in the Dai language, meaning the New Year. It is the most important grand festival for the Dai people, as well as one of the most influential ethnic festivals with the largest number of participants. On this day, farmers from nearby villages lay down their farm work, dress up in festive costumes, bring mellow rice wine and fragrant cured meat, and gather together to celebrate the wonderful festival.

Centered on the theme "Charming Dongpo, Enchanting Dai Land", the celebration was divided into five sessions: the opening ceremony, sacred water blessing, passionate water splashing, graceful ethnic dances, and cultural and sports contests. Every session showcased the comprehensive traditional culture of the Dai nationality, including water culture, music and dance, competitive sports, costumes and folk beliefs. All performances blended scenes and emotions, striking a chord with every audience member. Everyone was filled with festive joy, wearing bright smiles as lovely as flame tree blossoms.

Advocating civility, harmony, festivity and frugality, the festival turns traditional ethnic celebrations into an important platform to display and pass on fine ethnic culture, and satisfies people’s spiritual and cultural needs. Villagers get to fully enjoy the fruits of social progress amid the cheerful and peaceful festive atmosphere.