Guiyang Festivals

Guizhou is a place highlighted for its numerous ethnic minority festivals. Guiyang, as the capital city of Guizhou Province, is an assembly point for the multi-ethnic people. The Buyi and the Miao have the largest population of all. During the festivals, local people put on their gala clothes, which are very beautiful and each have their own characteristics.
 

Chinese name: 三月三
Time: the third day of the lunar March
It is one of the traditional festivals of the Buyi people, which was originally related to agricultural production. It is said that the cutworms are going to destroy the crop every spring. In order to protect their harvest, the Buyi people will spray some fried corn in the farmland to feed these pests. What's more, the locals will sing and dance outdoors while eating the fried corn. Nowadays, the festival seems juts to be a singing feast for the Buyi people. On that day, the Buyi people in Guiyang are going to gather together in the Xinbao Township, Wudang District of Guiyang City.

 

Liu Yue Liu: Buyi People Play Suona

Chinese name: 六月六
Time: the sixth day of the lunar June
This festival is an important day for Buyi people to worship the cook's god and the mountain god. The Buyi people living in or around Guiyang City will wear their holiday array and come to the Huxi Lake in the Huaxi Town of the Guiyang City. There, a series of celebrations are held, such as singing and dancing performances as well as playing of their musical instruments. The young males and females will take this opportunity to express love for their beloved ones.
 Chinese name: 地戏
Time: the fifteenth day of the lunar January
It is a form of local drama, held at Huaxi by Buyi people and other minority groups. The performers put on masks and costumes and engage in dancing and singing. Generally the performance tells a story of a battle or the loyalty between friends of ancient times.

Di Xi (Nuo Drama in Guizhou)

Si Yue Ba: Miao People Play Lusheng

 Chinese name: 四月八
Time: the eighth day of the lunar April
On this day, large numbers of Miao people put on their beautiful costumes and congregate in the central area of the city  to celebrate this great festival by playing the Lusheng and flute, singing antiphonal songs and dancing. It is said that this festival is for the Miao people to pay homepage to their heroes. Currently, it is a public carnival for the Han and the other ethnic minorities inhabiting in Guiyang. So, this day is the best time to enjoy the various kinds of national cultures at the same time.