Water Splashing Festival

Water-Splashing Festival of Dai is a most influential festival in Yunnan Province ,which is three days festival dated on 14th to 16th of April ,which is 24th to 26th day of the sixth month of the Dai calendar.

Before the festival, pigs and chickens are slaughtered and wines are brewed with other festival foods also being prepared beforehand. During the three days of the festival, rich and colorful activities are held.

Usually held by the banks of the picturesque Lancang River ,which is one of the main rivers of southwest China, girls of Dai ethnic minority dip branches into the river and sprinkle the water onto others as a way to express their best wishes at the beginning. The climax of the water-splashing activity is when the people of the different ethnic groups attending the festival splash water upon each other, using basins and buckets. Although all the people are soaked to the skin, all participants are happy. Near the bank, the cheering sound is loud as well. People bring bowls and bowls of rice wine for the superior man and cast the candy to them. They dance the Yilahe happily, companioning with the happiness of victory and the sound of drums.

The second day is the grandest day the Water Splashing Day. In the morning, all the men and women, old and young carrying buckets and basins to the streets. There are more people go to the riverside. Under the shining sun, they spray water to each other's who participate in this grand meeting.

On the third day of the Water Splashing Festival , the programs are even richer.The last day is usually for the young people to play games as a way of expressing their love for each other.

Watch The Water-Splashing Festival Video(YouTube):