This festival for the Zhuang people is held during the third lunar month and is popular among the Zhuang people who live in the Guangnan and Funing areas of Yunnan province. This festival attracts thousands of visitors, even though the ‘street’ is actually a field dam; during the festival, which lasts between three and five days, people gather in large fields and it is a time for young people to look for lovers. Trading, singing and dancing are also on the agenda.
A traditional Zhuang opera is performed in a makeshift theatre, attracting lots of people because of the noise of the gongs, drums and firecrackers. Looks and talent are the criteria for choosing a man and woman of the year among the young people. When a young man sees a woman he likes, he will sing a question at her; if she likes him, too, she will sing back at him and the singing conversation will then continue until dawn. Women give food and cloth shoes in return for men’s gifts of make-up, money or jewellery.
Every year, trade at this festival increases, as it becomes packed with visitors. People buy daily essentials as well as agricultural products at the festival.
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