People of the Qiang ethnic group in southwest China's Sichuan Province put on grand festivities on its traditional new year, which fell on Friday this year.
The Qiang New Year Festival, or Harvest Festival in the Qiang language, is the most important traditional festival for the ethnic group, whose people mostly live in and around the Aba Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan. The Qiang New Year usually falls on the first day of the tenth month of the traditional Chinese calendar, with its central themes including celebrating the harvest, sending blessings, and praying for peace.
The first day of the New Year revelries featured the Qiang people clad in beautiful traditional costumes dancing and singing, time-honored ritual sacrifice ceremonies, a large hotpot-themed banquet, a lively dragon dance, an intangible heritage exhibition, and other folk activities.
"We enjoy quite a bountiful life now. Today is the Qiang New Year. I want to wish my folks of the Qiang ethnic group, including all my family members and friends, a happy new year. Good luck and happiness to you all," said Yu Xingbao, a staff member of the Ancient Qiang City, a popular tourist destination.
The festival was listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2009 for its valuable cultural significance.
China's Qiang ethnic group celebrates traditional new year
China's Qiang ethnic group celebrates traditional new year
