Torch Festival, as a traditional festival of ethnic minorities such as the Yi ethnic group in China, carries profound cultural heritage and ethnic emotions, and is a shining pearl in the national intangible cultural heritage. It is not only a worship and inheritance of fire, but also an important platform for national unity, cultural exchange, and emotional expression.
1、 The Origin and Significance of Torch Festival
The origin of the Torch Festival is closely related to the worship of fire by the Yi people’s ancestors. Fire plays a crucial role in the lives of the Yi people. It is not only a necessity for survival, but also a symbol of the spiritual world. The warmth, brightness, and power of fire make the Yi people believe that it can ward off evil, protect crops, and bring a bountiful harvest. Therefore, every year on the 24th day of the sixth lunar month, the Yi people hold a grand Torch Festival to express their reverence and gratitude for fire. At the same time, Torch Festival is also an important part of Yi culture, and through the inheritance and development of this festival, Yi culture can be continuously promoted and inherited.
2、 The main activities of Torch Festival
During the Torch Festival, the Yi people will hold a series of colorful activities to celebrate this traditional festival. These activities include:
Igniter: On the day of the festival, each village will make huge torches and light them after nightfall. At the same time, every household will also light small torches at the entrance, and the entire village will be brightly lit, like daylight.
Bonfire party: After lighting the torch, the Yi people will dance and sing around the campfire to celebrate the festival. The bonfire party is one of the most distinctive activities in the Torch Festival, showcasing the passionate and united spirit of the Yi people.
Horse racing, bullfighting and other competitive activities: During the Torch Festival, the Yi people also hold horse racing, bullfighting, archery, wrestling and other competitive activities. These activities not only enrich the festival content, but also showcase the bravery and wisdom of the Yi people.
Beauty pageant: During the Torch Festival, Yi girls will wear their own ethnic costumes and participate in the beauty pageant. They won rounds of applause and cheers from the audience by showcasing their beauty and talents.
Trade Market: During the Torch Festival, a trade market will also be opened. People can buy and sell various goods here, exchange information, and promote the development and prosperity of the local economy.
3、 The Cultural Connotation of Torch Festival
Torch Festival is not only a festival, but also a cultural inheritance and display. It reflects the Yi people’s worship and reverence for fire, while also showcasing their enthusiasm, courage, and wisdom. Through the celebration of Torch Festival, the Yi people not only deepen their emotional connections with each other, but also promote cultural exchange and integration with other ethnic groups. In addition, the Torch Festival also carries the aspirations and pursuits of the Yi people for a better life. They express their love for life and longing for the future through the celebration of the festival.
4、 The Modern Significance of Torch Festival
With the development of the times and the progress of society, Torch Festival has also been endowed with new meanings. It is not only an important platform for the Yi people to inherit and promote their ethnic culture, but also an important carrier for promoting ethnic unity, social harmony, and cultural exchange. Meanwhile, Torch Festival has also become an important way to promote the development of local tourism economy and increase farmers’ income. By organizing tourism and cultural activities such as the Torch Festival, more tourists can be attracted to come for sightseeing and experience ethnic cultural customs, thereby driving the development and prosperity of the local economy.
In short, the Torch Festival, as a traditional festival of ethnic minorities such as the Yi ethnic group, carries profound cultural heritage and ethnic emotions. It is not only a manifestation of the worship and inheritance of fire, but also an important platform for national unity, cultural exchange, and emotional expression. In the future development, we should continue to promote and inherit this precious cultural heritage, so that it can shine even more brilliantly in the new era.
