Torch Festival
Torch Festival is a popular one in Yunnan.
Especially Yi celebrated it about twenty-fourth June. Totally, it lasts three days. The festival has a long history. Had written by the book called (太平广记). And (星回) festival also.
It is from the Yi people’s solar calendar. The Yi thought there are ten month and thirty-six days of month in the year. Another five days for holiday. Torch is holiday of first half year. The Yi Naxi Jingnuo ethnic group people hold it in the 24th June. But Lahou ethnic group hold it in 20th.
In the ancient time, a man called （波补勒伙）who is a devil came to earth break happiness life of people. He make a fit man angry .so they had a date for who will defeat about tumble. They battle three days and t hree nights. Still can’t see who is winner. So people help the fit man to shout: come on!” finally the fit man defeat. Next the devil so angry the let harmful insect bit crops. Then people take touch walk around fields stop the insect to bit crops. The people drive the insect out about three days later. From that time people commemorate these days, and killed animals or do activities celebrate it.
Before of festival the people should read foods, so they have to make buckwheat flower, killed animals, make wine, invite the friends and relative during the festival. In the festival they hold horse ride race, bull fight, tumble traditional activities. In the night time, everyone hold touch walk around fields and village.
