The Torch Festival for Yi people is celebrated on the 24th day of the sixth lunar month and is the most important festival of many for the Yi. It is also known as the Xinghui Festival (the Return of the Stars) and has several different legends attached to it. A popular one describes a contest between a god and an ancient Yi hero, in which the god was finally defeated. The gods sent a plague of locusts in revenge and the Yi people had to hold torches high to drive the insects away and protect their crops. This festival therefore ensures a good harvest.
Preparation for the festival begins around a month in advance. Torches are made from dry, straight wormwood sticks picked up by children. Wormwood is used by the Yi instead of bamboo, because it is believed to ward off evil. The number of family members determines how many torches are made by that family; usually, they will have three each. Parents prepare holiday clothes as well as food for sacrificial rites. Girls make traditional Yi suits, wallets or waistbands for their lovers; men buy yellow umbrellas, blue capes or silver earrings for their sweethearts. Noodles, fruit, wine and sweets are abundant, while one or more cows will be purchased by the whole village and killed to appease the Fire God.
On the morning of the 24th day, houses are cleaned, everyone dresses up, women cook and men kill the cows. Eating beef on the 24th day of the sixth lunar month is believed to bring good luck for the coming year.
A grand dinner is held after nightfall and the gods and ancestors are worshipped before the Torch Parade starts. The torches illuminate the area, and people shout lucky words while walking around houses and fields. Later, the torches are combined to make a bonfire and the party usually lasts through until the morning. Yi flutes, three-stringed guitars and moon-shaped instruments are played by men while women dance.
In the daytime, horse races, wrestling matches, bullfights, etc continue the festival atmosphere. More recently, tourism has become a great draw, attracting investments and trade.
The Torch Festival is also celebrated by Hani, Lahu, Naxi, Bai and Pumi people.
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