Girls dressed in festive costumes with distinctive characteristics stage a dance performance during the Siyueba Girls' Day of the Miao ethnic group. (Photo/Fu Jingyi)

On May 24, the 2023 Siyueba Girls' Day of the Miao ethnic group kicked off in Suining County, Hunan Province. Tourists from various places gathered with the Miao people to celebrate the festival and inherit the folk culture.

The festival is one of the four major ethnic festivals in Hunan Province and is recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage item. The festival originated as a commemoration of Yang Jinhua, a female hero from the Northern Song Dynasty, and has evolved over time into a traditional celebration that has been passed down through generations of the Miao ethnic group. The festival is mainly celebrated in the Miao regions in the border area of Hunan, Guangxi, and Guizhou with Suining as the center. It combines ritual activities, dietary customs, song and dance performances, and customs related to love and marriage, showcasing a rich ethnic flavor.

One hundred beautiful girls dressed in festive costumes, together with a lusheng team, parade through the city. (Photo/Gu Jingyi)

The opening ceremony of the festival featured a variety of folk song and dance performances that highlight the distinctive customs of Suining and intangible cultural heritage dances, allowing visitors to experience the folk culture and enthusiasm of various ethnic groups in Suining. Activities including a summit forum on rural revitalization, a cultural and tourism gathering, and a bamboo-related banquet would be held, with the aim of inviting visitors to indulge in a feast of Miao culture.

A folk song and dance performance with Suning characteristics. (Photo/Fu Jingyi)

To welcome girls from around the world to celebrate the festival in Suining, the county will host a grand evening party on May 26. Through live broadcasting on multiple platforms, girls from all over the world can enjoy a cultural feast of the Miao ethnic group and celebrate the festival together.

Between May 24 and 26, Shangbao Village will offer an immersive wedding customs experience of the Miao and Dong ethnic groups called "Dressed in Bridal Attire", part of the "Girl's Trilogy". The village will hold themed activities such as the lanmen wine ceremony (a greeting custom for local people to welcome guests), role-playing experiences, fancy dress experience, and a banquet. Each activity not only presents traditional culture but also showcases the colorful ethnic customs and traditions.

A folk activity with a strong ethnic flavor. (Photo provided by the Publicity Department of the Suining County)

This article is from the Hunan Provincial Government www.enghunan.gov.cn.


Translator: Xiao Juan


Chinese source: Chinanews