Torch Festival

Torch Festival，a traditional festival of the Yi，Bai，Lisu，Na xi，Pumi，Hani and some other minority nationalities inhabiting southwest China，falls around the 24th of the 6th lunar month.

On the day of the festival，the Yis and Bais of the Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan Province would build in villages big，pagoda-shaped pine torches wrapped up with layers of dried firewood and pine branches.In addition，there stand small torches at the doorway of every household.At dusk，carrying small torches，villagers gather around a big torch and wait for the exciting moment to come when the big torch is lit.Then，holding their flaming torches high，the villagers walkaround their houses and fields.The flaming torches make the night a bright day.

People then meet at a bonfire，singing，dancing or drinking through the night in the hope of bountiful crops in the coming year.

The Torch Festival is the principal festival of Yi nationality in Southwest China.

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