Water-splashing Festival

The name of China's national intangible cultural heritage: Dai Water Splashing Festival

Applicant: Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province

Project No.: 456

Project No.: X - 8

Time of publication: 2006 (the first batch)

Category: folk customs

Region: Yunnan Province

Type: new item

Applicant: Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province

Protection unit: cultural center of Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture

Brief introduction of Dai Water Splashing Festival

Applicant: Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province

The Dai People's water splashing Festival is also known as "Buddha Bathing Festival", which is called "Bimai" (meaning new year) in Dai language. The Dai people in Dehong area of Xishuangbanna also call this festival "Shanghan" and "Shangjian". The two names are derived from Sanskrit, which means turnover, change and transfer. It means that the sun has already begun to transit to the new year in the zodiac. Achang, De'ang, Bulang, WA and other ethnic groups celebrate the festival. Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos and other countries also celebrate the festival.

The water splashing Festival is usually held in the middle of June of the Dai calendar (about 10 days before and after the Qingming Festival in the lunar calendar). It is one of the most solemn traditional festivals in Xishuangbanna. Its contents include folk activities, art performances, economic and trade exchanges, and other categories. Specific festival activities include water splashing, swinging, dragon boat racing, Buddha Bathing, chanting, Zhang ha singing, peacock dance, white elephant dance and so on.

Water splashing Festival is the new year of the Dai people. It originated in India. It was once a religious ceremony of Brahmanism. Later, it was absorbed by Buddhism. It was introduced into the Dai area of Yunnan Province through Myanmar from the end of the 13th century to the beginning of the 14th century. With the increasing influence of Theravada Buddhism in Dai areas, the custom of water splashing Festival has become increasingly popular. Now, this festival has become the most important folk festival of Dai nationality. During the festival, Dai people, old and young, put on their festive costumes and carry clear water. They first go to the Buddhist temple to bathe in the Buddha, and then start splashing water on each other. The water splashed symbolizes auspiciousness, happiness and health. Young people also use the bright water in their hands to symbolize sweet love.

Water splashing Festival is a comprehensive stage to show Dai's traditional culture, such as water culture, music and dance culture, food culture, costume culture and folk worship. It is an important window to study Dai's history and has high academic value. Zhang ha, white elephant dance and other artistic performances displayed in the water splashing Festival can give people artistic enjoyment and help to understand Dai's national characteristics of feeling nature, loving water and respecting Buddha, and being gentle and quiet. At the same time, the water splashing Festival is also an important link to strengthen the unity of the people of all ethnic groups in Xishuangbanna. It has played a positive role in the friendly cooperation and exchanges between Xishuangbanna and Southeast Asian countries, and in promoting the development of social economy and culture in Xishuangbanna.