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The Yi Torch Festival 2009
This year's Torch Festival fell on August 13, 14, and
15 with the entire city joining in on the final night of festivities.
The first two days included the traditional bull fighting, horse racing, and
beauty contest plus a special concert to celebrate Xichang's 30th
anniversary. 30 years ago the city was founded as the capital of the
Yi Autonomous Prefecture, something the Yi people take pride in. The
final night was the highlight with the lighting of the torches and dancing
around bonfires.
The Torch Festival commemorates the classic Yi story
of the Hero who defeats the god who sent a locust plague upon the crops.
People, People, and more People "My I Take Your Picture?"
The city of Xichang also celebrated their 30th anniversary and brought in several famous performers for this concert. Villagers make good income on this night by bundling long weeds and selling them. The city built huge bonfires every 100 yards or so and people danced around the fires to tradtional Yi music piped in by loudspeakers. All down the mainstreets in town residents and visitors carried their torches. People light these traditional hot air paper lanterns and send them into the night sky. Judging by the crowds everyone in town was out enjoying the festivities. The atmosphere, though hot, was laid back. We gave it a try and gathered a huge crowd. Some of our local friends helped out as we launched the lantern. It was fun watching families get into the action and have fun together. More than a dozen people asked to have their picture taken with us. Foreigners are still very much a rarity here in China.
The city of Xichang also celebrated their 30th anniversary and brought in several famous performers for this concert.
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This site was last updated
08/16/09
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