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The photos of the Prince Festival were taken by Xiao Li and Xiao Yang when they went to Shaxi to participate in the 'Prince Festival' in 2024. This is a relatively important traditional festival in Shaxi. If you happen to be in Dali during this time, you might as well go to Shaxi to experience an authentic folk festival
“Every year on the eighth day of the second lunar month, the Bai people in the Dali area hold folk gatherings, with different themes in different places. In Jianchuan Ancient City and Shaxi Ancient Town in northern Dali, the Bai people hold the Prince Festival, which is a large-scale Buddhist folk activity organized spontaneously by the people. During the festival, men and women, young and old, dress up and follow the 'Prince' in a parade through the ancient city and town, with firecrackers blasting and drums and gongs thundering, to commemorate Shakyamuni who left home on this day.
According to legend, on the eighth day of the second lunar month, Prince Siddhartha went out on a tour and saw the suffering of the people, so he resolved to become a Buddha to save all sentient beings from the cycle of rebirth. Since then, the people have designated this day as the Prince Festival, both to commemorate the Buddha and to pray for blessings and fortune. Usually, the schedule of the Prince Festival is: On the sixth day, the Prince is welcomed into the city. Young and strong men carry the sedan chair for the Prince, hoping to receive his blessing so that their newlywed wives can become pregnant and give birth to sons. On the seventh day, there is a children's parade through the four gates—east, south, west, and north. At around seven or eight in the evening, colorful lanterns are lit in front of every household. Children hold two small candles and follow the statue of the Prince, parading through the four gates. The entire procession looks like a divine dragon moving through the quiet night. The eighth day is the most lively, known as the Prince's tour of the four gates. At noon, people line up in a long queue, some wearing masks, some carrying offerings, singing and dancing, following the Prince on his high sedan chair as he tours the four city gates.
The Prince Festival, passed down to this day, embodies the emotions and beliefs of the people of Jianchuan. The procession of gods, prayers, and music and dance have become the spiritual sustenance of Bai Buddhists, helping them to gain insight and enlightenment, understanding the wisdom of impermanence and non-self. The eighth day of February also marks the beginning of spring. The Bai people, who are engaged in agricultural production, take this opportunity to pray for a peaceful life, good harvests, all things going well, and increased wealth and blessings. ”
Original text (excerpt) from the WeChat official account 'Dali Bai Family', text and photos by Zhang Xueyi
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