On the 24th day of the lunar month of June, the Yi people gather together for three nights to make large bonfires and light torches. At the time, our Chinese was not proficient enough to understand complicated things like festivals and traditions.... so when we were invited to come out one night, all we could really understand was "wear shoes that cover your feet!"
We later learned that this festival is a celebration of the end of a tyranical leader's rule.
Zhaotong, a remote city in the north east corner of Yunnan, in 2010 was about 10% Yi people... and yet it seemed everyone, Han Chinese and otherwise, turned out for this event.
Above are three of my students who met in our home during one summer. Neither John, "short round" nor Lindy are Yi minority, but joined in the festivities anyway!
Scott is throwing some powerd on the fire that makes the flames burn extremely bright for a split second.
Fireworks, bonfires and paper lanterns everywhere!
Lighting our own paper lantern took quite a long time, but we eventually got it flying high out of sight.
I would love to return and celebrate this festival again one day when my understanding of Chinese is much greater!
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