Bijie Festivals and Events

Bijie is home to a large number of ethnic minorities, among 56 ethnic groups in China, 45 ethnic groups distributed in Bijie. The ancient and unique ethnic customs constitute the traditional customs of the people in Bijie, such as hospitality, courtesy, respect for the old and love the young, and solidarity and friendship, and create many featured festivals and activities as well. Colorful ethnic festivals include the torch festival of Yi, Yi's New Year, Tiaohua festival of Miao and Double Sixth Festival of Buyi, etc. 

Huapo Festival of Miao Minority(苗族花坡节)

Date: on March 18, 2019, the 12th day of the 2nd lunar month. 

Young Miao girls gather around the nearby hillside, show their handicrafts, and make up the hillside as a colorful flower slope, singing and dancing. The young men came to the "flower slope" in small groups, singing and flirting with the girls, then dancing hand in hand, by which they can choose the person of their heart.

Baili Azalea Festival(百里杜鹃花节)

Date: Every year from March to May. 

The opening ceremony of the annual azalea festival is held in Jinpo township of Qianxi county, Guizhou province. At that time, tourists can sightsee and enjoy the azalea sea. There are also the minority folk customs as well as song and dance performance of Miao and Yi. 

The Torch Festival of Yi(彝族火把节)

Date: on the 24th day of the 6th lunar month

On the 24th day of the sixth month of the lunar calendar, Yi people hold the symbolic expelling injurious insect activities in the fields. Young men and women serve guests with Zajiu liquor(咂酒) and Shuihua liquor(水花酒). With the accompanying of Suona, Yueqin and other instruments, people sing and dance around the campfire to celebrate the festival. During the festival, bullfighting, wrestling, horse racing, swing and other activities are held as well. 

New Year of Yi Minority(彝族年)

Date: in November

Yi's new year is an important festival of the Yi minority. Since ancient times, the Yi people attach great importance to the Festival and celebrate it grandly. As for when the festival began, it is impossible to ascertain now. Many rituals in the new year of Liangshan Yi minority are related to ancestor worship, and the whole festival is full of strong colors of ancestor supremacy. This festival lasts 3 days. The eve of the Yi's New Year is called "Jue Luo Ji(觉罗基)", the first day is called "Ku Si(库斯)", the second day is called "Duo Bo(朵博)", and the third day is called "A Pu Ji(阿普机)". During the festival, families reunion together, they butcher pig and slaughter chicken to celebrate for having a large family, as well as good luck and good health in the coming year. 

Liu Yue Liu(Double Sixth Festival)

Date: on the sixth day of the sixth lunar month

Double Sixth Festival is a traditional day of commemoration and sacrifice for the Buyi people, its grand degree is only next to Spring Festival. Double Sixth Festival  may be called something different in different places, but the meaning is basically the same. By the end of transplanting rice, Buyi people offer sacrifice to field god, mountain god, dragon king, king of heaven, insect god, Pangu king and other gods, to pray for good weather and agricultural harvest.