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The Water Splashing Festival of Dai People
- Updated:
- Aug 31, 2009;
- by:
- China Highlights;
- Clicks:
- 195;
Place: In Jinghong City, Xishangbanna Prefecture, Yunnan Province.
Time: From April 13th to April 15th, each year.
Features: Splashing water onto each other.
The Water Splashing Festival falls during the New Year of the Dai Calendar. It is the most important festival observed by the Dai ethnic group in Xishuangbanna Prefecture in southwestern China's Yunnan Province. The festival is similar to Thailand's Songkran, three days of unbridled festivities in which everybody gets doused with water.
The festivall usually lasts for three days. In the first two days, Dai people hold dragon boat race to ring out the old year and usher in the new year. The third day is for water splashing and is the climax of the festival. On that day, Dai people put on their new clothes and assemble at a lcaol buddhist temple, where they listen to the chanting of Buddhist scipture. Afterward, a Buddhist statue is coaxed out to the temple yard with pomp and ceremony, where it is splashed. The ritual is called bathing the Buddha. People then go to the streets, joyfully joining in a battle of water splashing onto each other. The city soon becomes a sea of billow and spray.
Water is regarded as a symbol of holiness, goodness and brightness by the Dai ethnic people. The water splashing onto each other symbolizes good wishes.
China Highlights' Water Splashing Festival Tour offer travelers an opportunity to join in the colorful celebrations of this festival.
About Xishuangbanna
Xishuangbanna takes on the look and atmosphere of a typical South Asian region, characterized by a diverse folklore, lush tropical rain forests, and many species of rare plants and wildlife. Xishuangbanna is also home to the Dai minority people, whose interesting and colorful traditions are well represented through their lifestyle and native modes of dressing.
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See Also
- Tibetan New Year
- March Fair
- Dragon Canoe Festival
- Worship Gathering
- Shaman Festival
- Nagqu Horse Racing Festival
- Shoton Festival
- Grassland Festival
- Hani Terraced Fields Festival
- Lusheng Festival
- Sister Meal Festival
