Festivals

Guangxi is immensely rich in regional festivals, reflecting a wide range of ethnic groups and mix of religious beliefs. The traditional Chinese festivals, celebrated nationwide, are occasions to ward of evil spirits with dragon dances and loud noise, and enjoy feasts at family reunions.

The following festivals are celebrated throughout Guangxi, and are based on the Chinese lunar calendar:

The Third Day of the Third Lunar Month (April) During this annual Zhuang folksong festival, young people turn out in beautiful costumes carrying a variety of foods including five-colour glutinous rice and coloured eggs and give them to loved ones or to propose marriage, while the younger girls bring carefully made coloured silk balls for their elders. Ethnic Zhuang youth are natural singers and they gather at a community stage to compete in all-day performances and contests.

Panwang Festival (November) The Panwang Festival is the central celebration for the Yao ethnicity to pay tribute to their ancestors. It starts on the 16th of the tenth lunar month and lasts from three days to a week. During the festival, families slaughter pigs and lambs and entertain their relatives and friends with a feast. People wear their best holiday costumes and participate in celebrations that include long drum dancing, singing Panwang songs, launching fireworks and performing operas and dramas.

Nanning International Folksong Festival (November) This annual festival debuted in 1999, and has since earned the reputation as the “Sea of Songs”. The festival features Guangxi folksongs and customs.

Chinese New Year (late-January or early-February) The first day of the Lunar New Year falls between January and February, and the holiday is the longest and most important festival in China. All stores and offices close for up to a week except movie theatres and restaurants.

Like Christmas in the west, this is a time for joyous family reunions, and exchanging gifts. Elaborate meals are prepared, and there is an air of continuous celebration. It is also the time for a fresh start, so new clothes are purchased and houses are cleaned.

Each passing year is represented by different animals, which many western astrologers now include in their own readings. Evil spirits are said to be especially predominate at this time, and are kept at bay by thousands of exploding firecrackers.

Lantern Festival (February) This celebration dates back to ancient China, when it was believed that heavenly spirits appeared seeking the soft light of the first full moon of the Lunar New Year, generally on the 15th day after the start of the New Year holiday.

On the night of the festival, all dwellings are gaily decorated with lanterns and coloured streamers. Children carry lanterns as they go out and play. The festival also includes acrobatic performances, lion and dragon dances, folk art performances and temple processions.

Pure Brightness Day (March) The Ching Ming Festival in the third lunar month marks the time when people honour their ancestors, make offerings and clean graves. It is not a sad occasion, and the day is brightened with sports events and kite flying competitions.

Dragon Boat Festival (May) This festival falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. It began as a commemoration of the great Chinese poet, Qu Yuan, who lived over 2,000 years ago. It is a day of general celebration, eating and drinking, highlighted by dragon boat races. Teams of dragon boats, similar to long canoes, train for weeks for the colourful and exciting contests.

Mid-Autumn Festival (August/September) Observed on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, this festival celebrates the harvest moon, and is marked by family reunions, moon gazing, and eating traditional moon cakes: a round pastry stuffed with red bean paste, egg yolk or fruit.

Ghost Day (July) This festival is held on the first day of the seventh lunar month, when it is believed that, ghosts are allowed out to re-enter the world of the living for one more day of fun. To ensure the ghosts enjoy the annual treat, lavish offerings are made, paper money burned, and colourful operas performed. The climax is the Chong Yang Festival on the 15th of the month, when sacrificial feasts are laid out in temples and chanting ceremonies are conducted by Taoist and Buddhist priests.