Qiang New Year festival

An Ancient Traditional Celebration Weaving Harmony with Nature and Ancestor Worship

In late October, as autumn foliage begins to spread across the mountains of Sichuan Province, preparations for the New Year festival begin in Qiang villages. This festival, held on the first day of the tenth lunar month, brings the entire village to life. Colorful festive flags flutter on the distinctive stone towers known as "diaolou," while the sound of sheepskin drums echoes through the mountains from the village square. For three to five days, villagers don their finest traditional costumes and solemnly perform the ritual sacrifice to the mountain god under the guidance of the shibi (priest). Afterwards, the square is filled with Salang dances and sheepskin drum dances, while the air is filled with the aroma of savory lamb and sweet rice wine. Visitors immerse themselves in this ancient traditional culture by participating in traditional Qiang songs and dances or admiring the beautifully embroidered ethnic costumes. At night, each family performs rituals to honor their ancestors, reaffirming community bonds.

Main Attractions

The Sacred Goat Sacrifice

At the heart of the festival lies the solemn ritual of goat sacrifice. At dawn, villagers gather at the foot of the sacred mountain in their finest traditional attire. The air is thick with anticipation and the pungent scent of burning incense. Under the careful direction of the shibi (priest), a specially chosen goat is led to the altar. The shibi's chants echo off the mountainside as he performs the intricate ritual. The moment the sacrifice is made, a collective gasp ripples through the crowd, followed by reverent silence. This ancient rite, believed to bring prosperity and good fortune, sets the tone for the days of celebration to come.

The Thunderous Sheepskin Drum Dance

As the day progresses, the village square comes alive with the rhythmic pounding of sheepskin drums. Dancers, their colorful costumes a blur of motion, move in perfect synchronization to the thunderous beat. The ground seems to vibrate beneath your feet as dozens of drummers create a hypnotic rhythm that can be felt as much as heard. Spectators are inevitably drawn into the dance, their bodies swaying to the primal beat that echoes through the mountains.

The Mesmerizing Salang Dance

As night falls, the traditional Qiang dance known as Salang begins. Salang is a courtship dance performed by young Qiang people, with its name meaning "dancing under the moon" in the Qiang language. Illuminated by the flickering light of a massive bonfire, young male and female dancers face each other, moving in intricate steps, drawing closer and moving apart. The women wear vividly embroidered costumes adorned with silver ornaments that tinkle melodiously with each step. The men, also in traditional Qiang attire, respond with strong and graceful movements. This dance expresses the history of the Qiang people, their connection to the natural world, and the romantic feelings of the youth. The air is filled with the haunting melodies of traditional songs, the crackling of the fire, and the collective voice of the community joining in ancient refrains, enveloping the festival night in a magical atmosphere.

A Feast for the Senses

Throughout the festival, the air is perfumed with the aroma of traditional Qiang cuisine. Steaming pots of spicy lamb soup compete with the sweet scent of qiang ba ba (a type of flatbread) fresh from the oven. The centerpiece of the feast is often a whole roasted lamb, its skin crispy and aromatic with local herbs. As you sample the dishes, the flavors tell a story of the rugged mountain landscape - spicy, hearty, and deeply satisfying. The meal is accompanied by copious amounts of qiang jiu, a potent local wine that warms you from the inside out.

Cultural and Historical Background

The origins of the Qiang New Year Festival stretch back over two millennia, predating the Qin Dynasty (221-207 BC). It emerged as a way for the Qiang people to give thanks for the harvest, honor their ancestors, and ensure prosperity for the coming year. The festival's timing at the end of the harvest season allowed the community to come together and celebrate their hard work before the harsh winter months.

For the Qiang people, this festival is the thread that weaves together their past, present, and future. It's a time when ancient traditions are passed down to younger generations, ensuring the continuity of their unique culture. The rituals and celebrations reaffirm the Qiang's deep connection to nature, their ancestors, and each other. In a rapidly modernizing world, the Qiang New Year Festival stands as a vibrant reminder of the enduring strength of their cultural identity.

The cultural importance of this festival has been internationally recognized. In June 2008, it was registered on China's National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, and in 2009, it was inscribed on UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. This inscription came in response to the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, which destroyed many Qiang villages and threatened the continuity of the New Year festival. As a result, efforts to protect and pass on the Qiang New Year Festival have been strengthened, with state financial support enabling shibi (priests) to transmit knowledge and traditions, and funding the reconstruction of stone villages and towers associated with the festival.

Participants Voices

I stumbled upon the Qiang New Year Festival while backpacking through Sichuan, and it's been the most incredible experience of my trip. The moment I entered the village, I was enveloped by the festive atmosphere - the air was filled with the sound of drums and the smell of incense. I watched in awe as the shibi performed the goat sacrifice. The solemnity of the ritual was palpable, and even though I didn't understand the words, I felt deeply moved. As we struggled to communicate with my broken Mandarin and their limited English, I realized that some experiences transcend language barriers. This festival has given me a glimpse into a world I never knew existed, and I'm already planning my next visit.

Fun Facts

The festival's date varies each year according to the lunar calendar, but it always falls in late autumn when the harvest is complete.
The shibi, or Qiang priest, undergoes years of training to memorize thousands of lines of oral history and ritual procedures.
The Qiang language, used in many of the festival's songs and chants, is one of the oldest languages in China and has no written form.