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Our Torch Festival activities: Event Booking · Torch Festival | The Last Village of Nanzhao
This entry was authored by Qiqi; thank her for writing such a thorough record, I'll directly quote it.
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The Torch Festival is one of the most solemn traditional festivals of the Bai people, held on the 25th day of the sixth lunar month every year. The Torch Festival originates from fire worship and was also called the 'New Fire Festival' in old times. In Dali's folk legends, the Torch Festival comes from the story of 'Burning the Songming Tower,' established to commemorate the loyal Lady Bojie. Women dyeing their fingernails with balsam flowers before the festival is also related to Lady Bojie. Besides the Torch Festival, the Shua Hai Festival (Water Playing Festival) on the eighth day of the eighth lunar month, in Dengchuan and Xizhou areas, also connects its origin to Lady Bojie's drowning herself in the lake.
The most important form of the Torch Festival is the construction of giant torches. This is the most significant custom in every village, and each year only experienced craftsmen are tasked with making them. Dry pine wood and pine kindling are bound into a large torch reaching ten to twenty meters or even higher, erected in the village square or other important locations. Men are usually responsible for the binding work, while women are responsible for burning incense and praying.
At the top of the torch is a manually crafted 'shengdou' (a wooden bucket-shaped ornament) made of bamboo and paper. It is the core decoration of the torch, symbolizing auspicious meanings such as abundant harvests, peace and prosperity for the country, and favorable weather. Around the edge of the shengdou and on the torch, handmade paper flags and fruits are often hung. The most special among the hanging fruits is the 'torch pear,' which ripens around the Torch Festival and has red markings on its sun-exposed side, symbolizing abundant fruits. When the torch burns and the shengdou falls, villagers scramble to grab it, and legend has it that whoever gets it will have good luck.
The craft of making the shengdou is a form of paper-mache artistry with regional characteristics. The number of tiers on the shengdou varies, and the meanings differ; some shengdou have a circle of lotus platform at the base, but overall they all carry good intentions. It is said that the largest shengdou in Zhoucheng requires several hundred people to work together. The tradition of business in Xizhou area also leads them to emphasize phrases like 'seeking wealth in all seasons' in the inscriptions on the shengdou.
During the Dragon Boat Festival, people in Dali tie five-colored threads around their wrists for protection and to ward off evil and disasters. During the Torch Festival, these five-colored threads are thrown into the fire to burn. Fire symbolizes purification and rebirth; throwing the five-colored threads that have absorbed evil and bad luck into the torch signifies that the misfortunes of the past year completely dissipate with the flames.
Throwing rosin powder is also an important part of the Torch Festival. From a safety perspective, it is generally thrown toward the fire source, or the torch is lowered to throw the powder. The instant burst of flames symbolizes driving away evil spirits and bringing light; wherever the fire shines, diseases and disasters are eliminated. Some villages retain the ancient custom of holding torches and walking around rice fields late at night, throwing rosin powder to burn pests and protect the crops for a good harvest.
Both the Bai and Yi peoples around Dali celebrate the Torch Festival, but the one in Fengyangyi is unique in that no fire is lit. Legend has it that during the Torch Festival, the phoenix in the village was scared away. Since then, although the Torch Festival in Fengyangyi has no fire, it is still lively. There are horse races on the Ancient Tea Horse Road; the horses' hooves on the smooth stone pavement sound like cheerful little tunes. A stage is set up in the village's small square, where Bai folk tunes, Dabei Qu (a form of narrative singing), and sanxian (three-stringed instrument) melodies float gracefully.
The absolute climax is the 'grabbing for noodles.' At the Fengyangyi Torch Festival, a bowl of noodles is available in unlimited supply as long as you can grab it. One year, I was responsible for grabbing noodles; relying on my height and build, I successfully broke through among several hundred people. If you are afraid of fire but still want to join in the festive fun, Fengyangyi is highly recommended.
🔥 Torch Festival Play Tips:
Dali Old Town, March Street: Closest to the old town. Usually, torches are lit after nightfall, and people gather from Cangshan Gate toward the center of March Street square. This year's big torch has already been erected; the night market and bonfire dance will be very lively.
Zhoucheng: The most primitive Bai Torch Festival around Dali. In the past, Zhoucheng's torch has always been the largest among nearby villages!
Eryuan West Lake: The water torch festival is quite special. Holding torches and taking a night tour of West Lake, with firelight and starlight reflecting on the lake, imagine how beautiful it is.
🔥 Torch Festival Purchase Tips:
Combine large and small torches. Shengdou and colored flags are essential decorations; other decorations like fruits and pine branches can be added according to your preference.
Buy a bag of rosin powder; a little goes a long way. Don't use too much, and pay attention to safety.
You can also buy two bundles of kindling; insert them into the cracks of the big torch to make it easier to light and burn.
🔥 Torch Festival Safety Notes:
Do not throw rosin powder at people's faces, hair, or bodies; it is very dangerous. Generally, lower the torch below knee level and throw downward. Also, don't throw a large handful; a small pinch is enough. In a joyful festival, safety comes first.
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Bunong: The Other Side of the Torch Festival | Safety Guide Must-Read
July 20, 2025
Regarding safety issues, because there were multiple burn incidents during the 2025 Torch Festival, one of our guests and friends, Bunong, a local of Dali, wrote a reminder and suggestions:
"Jason, I saw yesterday's burn incident at the Torch Festival. I wrote a small safety guide and posted it on Xiaohongshu, but my influence is limited. Could you send it to tourists who plan to visit Dali when you have time? Although it has passed, this year's is over, but if people don't know the reasons and become more and more reckless, there will be more dangers in the future. Well, it's just an old auntie's nagging, thank you."
"Before, we in Dali just treated it as a festival, and mainly young people went to play, so probably no one seriously summarized this matter. It's just that we locals, between friends, teach each other before going out and take protective measures, so probably no one has organized this. I hope to protect visiting tourists and avoid mutual misunderstandings. Everyone comes to experience; no one wants to get hurt. Being happy and safe is the best. But sometimes I think tourists might have a 'only once' mentality, so their level of recklessness becomes harder to control."
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As a child who grew up in Dali, I warn tourists, especially our girls:
1. The torch is made of pine wood full of resin; the powder thrown is rosin. It is said some people also mix in pigeon droppings, but the burnt ash is not toxic. However, unlike the Munihei Festival (a mud-smearing festival), the Munihei Festival also doesn't use hot ash. In my eighteen years in Dali, no one has ever smeared ash on people's bodies or faces!
2. Girls, especially pretty girls, don't think the Torch Festival is for taking photos so dress up beautifully and expose your skin! Don't wear any jewelry or sunglasses; they can be damaged. Don't wear synthetic clothing or sandals. Please wear cotton, canvas denim, work clothes, long sleeves and long pants, long sleeves and long pants, long sleeves and long pants! Wear cloth shoes or real leather shoes you don't mind getting dirty. No stockings. Tie up your hair and coil it; the best is to wear a hoodie and pull the hood over your head before entering.
3. A tiny bit of rosin powder will burst into a huge flame. The key is that when passing through the flame, there are larger pieces that haven't burnt completely and will stick to you and burn. So try to do item 2 as much as possible.
4. As for rosin powder, normally people play by grabbing a small handful with one hand and throwing it at other people's feet. In recent years, the play has become wilder, and tourists also get adrenaline rushing and disregard life and death. So, don't jump over the fire pile. If you see someone throwing rosin powder with both hands into the fire, you should slam the brakes even if you have to kneel down. Emotions get wilder and bolder, and the more spectators cheer, the more you should quietly step back five meters.
4. In all times and places, there are people who grope and act indecently. Girls, that day try to move toward the center. The safest is to gather a group of four or more people including boys. Buy your own small torch and stay away from the center. If you want to throw or jump, first test the dose, agree on the sequence, and shout the rhythm together.
When entering the center, if someone throws powder at you politely, they will wait for your permission before throwing. Pretty girls will be chased and thrown at; the original meaning is to ward off evil, bless, and express affection. If you don't want to be afraid, with the right gear, turn your back and others will sprinkle you; just jump up lightly and happily. This is fun and minimizes harm. Throwing at the face or body is impolite and dangerous; immediately turn your back or side.
5. If you get burned, immediately rinse under running tap water intermittently for at least 15 minutes. If the rosin has melted and stuck (often with synthetic fibers), don't forcibly peel it off. After rinsing, cover with clean gauze and go to the hospital.
6. Impulsive pursuit of excitement is instinct; loving fun is also natural. First understand the dangers and safety etiquette, then you can have fun, right?
The old auntie lying on the hospital bed tilted her head and typed with one hand; she can't go on. If you have questions, ask, and I'll answer bit by bit. Every year before the Torch Festival, I hope my article gets pulled out and shown to everyone, hoping that unnecessary injuries are reduced and happiness increases.
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