Torch Festival

Name: Torch Festival
Start: 2025-07-20
End: 2025-07-22
Location: Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture

A Fiery Celebration of Yi Culture and Heritage

Every summer, the Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan Province comes alive with the flickering light of countless torches. The Torch Festival, celebrated by the Yi people, transforms the rugged mountains into a place filled with fire and festive energy. Held on the 24th or 25th day of the sixth month of the Yi calendar (usually in late July or early August), this ancient celebration attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors who gather to experience a unique blend of tradition, spirituality, and joy.

Main Attractions

The Grand Torch Lighting Ceremony

As dusk falls, the air is filled with anticipation. Suddenly, a massive bonfire roars to life in the center of Xichang City, its flames leaping skyward and casting dancing shadows on the faces of the gathered crowd. From this central fire, thousands of individual torches are lit, their flames passed from person to person until the entire village is aglow. Amidst the crackling sound of burning pine and the scent of smoke, villagers and visitors alike carry torches through the streets and fields, creating rivers of light.

Traditional Yi Wrestling Matches

At the festival grounds, powerful Yi men engage in fierce wrestling matches, their bodies glistening with sweat. This competition, called "Tuolu" in the Yi language, is more than just a sport - it's a test of strength and skill with deeper meaning. The crowd cheers as competitors grapple and throw each other to the ground, their faces illuminated by the firelight showing intense determination.

Torch Parade and Bonfire Dance

As night deepens, Xichang's streets come alive with a mesmerizing torch parade. Participants hold aloft flaming torches, creating a serpentine procession of light through the city. The parade culminates in a large open space where a massive bonfire is lit. Around this central blaze, Yi people in their most beautiful traditional attire perform the "Dati" dance. Moving in circles to the beat of drums and the melody of the three-stringed "sanxian," the dance is filled with unity and joy.

Vibrant Costumes and Decorations

The festival is a feast for the eyes as locals don their most beautiful traditional attire. Women wear intricately embroidered black or dark blue dresses adorned with silver jewelry, while men sport colorful jackets and wide-brimmed hats. The entire village is decorated with red lanterns and colorful flags, enhancing the festive atmosphere.

Local Culinary Delights

Food stalls line up, offering aromatic grilled meats and delicious herb-infused dishes. Visitors can savor spicy grilled lamb skewers known as "Kao Yang Rou" or try the fermented pork dish called "Tuotuo meat." Strong locally brewed corn liquor is also available, warming the body and lifting spirits. The aroma mingles with the smoky air, further stimulating the appetite.

Cultural and Historical Background

The origins of the Torch Festival date back over 2,000 years, rooted in the ancient fire festivals of the Yi people. Legend has it that the festival began to honor the hero Atilaba, who protected the village from a locust plague that was destroying crops. The festival has evolved as a way to commemorate this legend and pray for protection from natural disasters and for a good harvest.

For the Yi people of Sichuan, this festival holds deep cultural significance. It's an important opportunity to express their identity and strengthen community bonds. It's also a time to honor traditions inherited from ancestors and pass them on to the next generation. The act of lighting torches symbolically drives away darkness and evil spirits. During this period, social and hierarchical differences temporarily disappear, and all participants share in the joy equally. Through this, the Yi people reaffirm their cultural continuity and strengthen their sense of community.

Participans Voices

I participated in a traditional Yi dance. Despite being a complete beginner, the locals welcomed me warmly, and the feeling of dancing together was amazing. The highlight was the torch parade. At first, I was hesitant to hold a flaming torch, but I quickly became engrossed in the fun. A local girl taught me to say "Happy Torch Festival" in the Yi language, and I've been using it ever since. This festival has given me a new perspective on Chinese culture.

Fun Facts

In 2023, the largest torch used was over 10 meters tall and required more than 30 people to carry it!
In the past, a 100-hour non-stop torch relay was held, setting a local record for the longest continuous festival activity.
Yi wrestlers train year-round for the festival's wrestling matches, with some matches lasting over an hour.
During the festival, even local fast-food restaurants participate, offering special "Torch Burgers" named after the event.