The address of the Bijie Dafang Torch Festival in 2023 is Mu'oge Ancient City (Xuanweifu, Xichengmen, Guizhou), Shexiang Ancient Town, Cuisuba International Camping Base, and Dujuan Square.
The Bijie Dafang Torch Festival is a traditional festival in Bijie City, Guizhou Province, China, and is also one of China's intangible cultural heritages. It is usually held on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month (the Lantern Festival) and lasts for two days.
The Dafang Torch Festival originated in the Ming Dynasty and has a history of hundreds of years. It is an important activity for the local Yi people to celebrate the harvest and pray for good luck. During the festival, thousands of people will gather on the streets of Dafang County, holding huge torches, singing and dancing to celebrate.
Torches are made of bamboo, usually more than ten meters high, with a beautiful and gorgeous appearance, and blazing flames when lit. People held torches, lined up in neat lines, and marched along the streets to the sound of gongs, drums and cheerful music. The parade will pass through the main streets of the city, displaying traditional Yi costumes, dance and song performances, as well as various lighting and float decorations, giving people a visual enjoyment.
During the Torch Festival, various traditional activities will also be held, such as bonfire parties, folk performances, market transactions, etc. People wish each other well, share delicious food, and celebrate this festive festival together.
The Bijie Dafang Torch Festival attracts a large number of tourists to watch and participate with its unique Yi cultural characteristics and grand event scale. It is a highlight of Bijie City’s cultural tourism and an important part of China’s traditional festival culture.
The significance of the Torch Festival
1. Praying for blessings and burning witches: According to legend, in ancient times, people believed that the fifteenth day of the first lunar month was the day when all ghosts walked at night. In order to drive away evil spirits and plagues, people lit fires Torches and processions are lit to pray for peace and health. In this view, the torch is regarded as a symbol that can drive away evil spirits and ominous objects.
2. Sacrifice and pray for blessings: The Torch Festival is associated with farming beliefs in some places. On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, which is an important moment, people light torches and carry the flames to mountains or fields to offer sacrifices to mountain gods, land gods and other gods and pray for a good harvest and abundant grains.
3. Folk traditional customs say: In ancient times, torches were believed to drive away cold and evil spirits, and protect families from disasters. People light torches and walk around their villages or homes to bless their families with health, peace and prosperity.