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Yunnan is a multinational province, so the festivals of the ethnic minorities are varied and colorful.
On the one hand, some minorities have festivals for different purposes. On the other hand, some ethnic groups share the same festivals. For example, the Yi people celebrate the Torch Festivals, the Tiger Festival, the Flower—Arranging Festival, the Ganhua Festival and the Mizhi Festival. The Bai people celebrate the Third Month Fair, the Raosanlin, the Torch Festival, the Shuahaihui and Butterfly Festival. Although the Yi, Bai, Naxi, Hani, Lisu and the Pumi all celebrate the Torch Festival, and the Dai, Achang and Deang celebrate the Water—Splahing Festival, the origins and activities held for these festivals are not the same. For example, the Torch Festival of the Yi originated from the celebration for defeating their enemies, while the Bai people celebrate it in memory of the Lady of Benevolence, a character in the legend of Burning Song—ming Building.
As far as the origin and content are concerned, the festivals of the ethnic minorities in Yunnan can be classified into the following four categories: Religious festivals like the Water—Splashing Festival of the Dai and the Munao Zongge Festival of the Jingpo; the festivals for farming activities like the Planting Festival of the Achang, and the New—Rice Tasting Festival of the Zhuang, the Miao and the Yao; Commemoration festivals such as the Torch Festival of the Yi and the Sword—Pole Festival of the Lisu; and festivals of social activities and amusement such as the Raosanlin of the Bai and the Maypole Festival of the Miao.
The famous festivals of Yunnan ethnic minorities are the Torch Festival of the Yi, the Third Month Fair of the Bai, the Sanduo Festival of the Naxi, the Munao—Zongge Festival of the Jingpo and the Sword—Pole Festival of the Lisu.
