Nadun Festival of Tu Ethnic Group

The Nadun Festival (纳顿节) is one of the most important traditional celebrations of the Tu ethnic group (土族) in Minhe Tu Autonomous County (民和回族土族自治县), Qinghai Province (青海省). Often described as a harvest carnival, it is a living cultural expression that combines ritual, performance, agriculture, and community gathering.

The word “Nadun” comes from the Tu language and means “play,” “entertainment,” or “joyful activity.” It is also known locally as the “Farmers’ Festival,” “Harvest Celebration Festival,” or “July Festival.”

A Two-Month Harvest Carnival

Nadun begins after the summer wheat harvest, usually from July 12 to September 15 (lunar calendar), lasting nearly two months, making it one of the longest traditional festivals in the world.

The festival rotates through villages from east to west across Minhe, and each village takes turns hosting celebrations. During this period, village threshing grounds are transformed into open-air festival arenas, filled with:

• Colorful flags waving across fields
• Loud drums and gongs echoing through valleys
• Large gatherings of villagers and visitors
• A festive atmosphere celebrating abundance and unity

The entire region becomes a continuous cultural stage, where every village contributes to the celebration in its own way.

Huishou Dance – Opening the Festival

The festival begins with the Huishou Dance (回首舞), a large-scale collective performance symbolizing gratitude for the harvest.

• Hundreds of participants may join, from elders to children
• An elderly leader usually stands at the front, holding a fan and guiding the rhythm
• Even in old age, the leader dances energetically, setting the rhythm for the group
• The dance flows in circular formations with coordinated steps and body movements

Accompanied by drums and gongs, the entire crowd moves together in harmony, creating a powerful visual of unity, continuity, and shared celebration.

For visitors, this is one of the most impressive scenes of Nadun—a living harvest celebration rather than a staged performance.

Masked Dance Dramas and Folk Performances

After the Huishou Dance, a series of masked theatrical performances and ritual dances begin, each carrying cultural and educational meaning.

Crops Qi Dance Drama

This performance uses masks and symbolic movements to depict:

• A father teaching farming skills to his son
• Agricultural knowledge passed through generations
• Humorous and lively storytelling style

It reflects the importance of farming wisdom in Tu society.

Historical and Heroic Stories

Performances often include stories inspired by:

• The Three Kingdoms (三国故事)
• Heroic generals and legendary warriors

These dramas combine history, folklore, and moral lessons, making them both entertaining and educational.

Tiger-Slaying General Mask Dance

This final performance symbolizes:

• Early Tu ancestors’ pastoral life
• Struggle against harsh natural environments
• Courage, resilience, and survival spirit

It is one of the most symbolic performances, representing the strength and determination of Tu heritage.

Social Life and Cultural Exchange

Nadun is not only a festival but also a major social gathering for rural communities. During the celebration, people:

• Visit relatives and strengthen family ties
• Exchange farming experience and local knowledge
• Share news and discuss community life
• Participate in feasts and communal meals

For many villages, Nadun serves as a seasonal cultural meeting point, reinforcing social unity and shared identity.

Youth Interaction and Folk Romance

For young people, Nadun also becomes a natural setting for social interaction and courtship. Through music, dance, and festival gatherings, young men and women can:

• Meet and communicate in traditional social settings
• Express interest through folk songs and performances
• Build relationships in a culturally accepted environment

This makes Nadun not only a harvest festival but also a social bridge between generations and families.

Legend of the Origin of Nadun

A popular Tu legend explains the origin of the festival:

Long ago, a highly skilled Tu carpenter was summoned by a king to build a magnificent palace. After completing the palace, the king betrayed the craftsmen and ordered their execution to keep the craftsmanship exclusive.

The carpenter escaped and returned to his homeland, organizing villagers to resist oppression. When surrounded by soldiers, he instructed the people to:

• Beat drums and gongs loudly
• Display calm behavior as if celebrating a harvest festival
• Carry tools and flags while acting normally

The soldiers, deceived by the peaceful appearance, withdrew. To honor the carpenter’s wisdom and courage, villagers began holding annual celebrations in the same spirit. Over time, this evolved into the modern Nadun Festival, preserved as a tradition of memory, resistance, and cultural pride.

Cultural Significance

Today, the Nadun Festival is recognized as a key expression of Tu intangible cultural heritage, representing:

• Agricultural celebration and harvest gratitude
• Collective performance traditions
• Historical storytelling through dance and drama
• Strong community cohesion and identity

For travelers visiting Minhe (民和) and surrounding Tu villages, Nadun offers one of the most immersive cultural experiences in Qinghai—where music, dance, and rural life merge into a living heritage festival.