What is the Yi Torch Festival in Liangshan like?

Fire is deeply revered by the Chinese people, and the Yi Torch Festival stands as the finest embodiment of this tradition. Held annually on the 24th day of the sixth lunar month — the hottest time of the year — the Liangshan Yi Torch Festival is the most important traditional festival of the Yi ethnic group, carrying significance comparable to the Spring Festival.

Many other ethnic minorities including the Bai, Naxi, Lahu, Hani and Pumi also celebrate the Torch Festival, though their festival dates vary slightly. The Yi, Naxi and Jinuo peoples observe it on the 24th day of the sixth lunar month, the Bai on the 25th, and the Lahu on the 20th. All groups mark the festival during the hottest summer days, with celebrations lasting two to three days.

Among all celebrations, the Yi Torch Festival is the most renowned. It features grand-scale events, diverse activities and massive participation, attracting around 100,000 visitors each year, including local ethnic people as well as tourists from across the country. Locals say that Butuo and Puge counties in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan, known as the Hometown of Torches, best preserve the ancient folk customs. Here the festival is celebrated in the most authentic, distinctive and solemn way, serving as the core venue of Liangshan’s Torch Festival.

Butuo and Puge have well-maintained age-old Torch Festival traditions full of ethnic charm, and host the most spectacular celebrations every year. A wide range of activities are held throughout the festival, notably beauty pageants, horse racing, wrestling, archery and the grand torch carnival night.

Unlike commercial beauty contests, the Yi pageant requires young Yi women to dress in traditional costumes and sing folk songs. Judges are respected elders of the Yi community. Contestants are evaluated not only for their appearance, but also for their virtues such as filial piety, diligence and competence. Horse racing, wrestling and archery are men’s competitions, and the champions will win the favor of young women.

The bonfire party at night is the highlight everyone looks forward to. The whole area is lit up by blazing torches. People of all ages gather around the bonfires, singing, drinking and reveling all night long.

The signature festival food is tuotuo meat. Beef or mutton is cut into chunks, boiled and seasoned with chili and other condiments. The Yi people enjoy the food in a casual way, tearing the meat apart and eating it with their hands.

According to official arrangements, the grand Torch Festival is now held once every five years. The 2013 edition has concluded, and the next major celebration will fall on the 24th day of the sixth lunar month in 2018.