According to legend, in ancient times, there was a demon named Shi Dali who destroyed people's happy life in the world. After people found out, they stepped forward to question him. Shi Li arrogantly asked people to wrestle with him, and even demonstrated by knocking over the strong bulls one after another (from then on, bullfighting was the first thing during the Torch Festival).
His provocative behavior angered a Yi hero named Bao Cong. He walked out of the crowd and wrestled with Shi Dali for three days and three nights, but still couldn't decide the outcome. So people played the sanxian, played the piccolo, clapped their hands and stamped their feet to cheer for Bao Cong, and finally defeated Shi Dali.
The devil got angry and released locusts and other pests to destroy the crops that people had worked so hard to grow. So people gathered again, lit torches to burn the pests, and finally burned all the pests to death. This day happened to be June 24th.
Later, in order to commemorate this victory, people would kill cattle and sheep every day and hold various activities of the Torch Festival. It reflected the fighting spirit of the Yi people to fight for a happy life without fear of violence.
Extended information:
The Yi Torch Festival generally lasts for three days and three nights, and is divided into three stages: welcoming fire, playing with fire, and sending fire.
The first day of the Torch Festival: Fire sacrifice. On this day, every village will slaughter cattle and sheep, share them collectively, and prepare wine and meat to worship their ancestors.
The second day of the Torch Festival: spreading the fire. On this day, every household gathers under the sacred fire of the altar and holds various traditional festival activities. The young men should imitate the legendary Altiraba, horse racing, wrestling, singing, bullfighting, sheep fighting, and cockfighting.
The third day of the Torch Festival: sending fire. This is the climax of the entire Liangshan Yi International Torch Festival. When night falls on this day, everyone will hold a torch and run around. Finally, people gathered their torches together to form huge bonfires, and happy people sang and danced to their heart's content.