The Ganqiu Festival

The Ganqiu Festival

　The Miao people celebrate a number of festivals during the year. The Ganqiu Festival¹ is one of them. The festival falls on the day of “Liqiu”, or the “Beginning of Autumn”.

　The Ganqiu Festival has a long history. Legend has it that the brave Miao people drove out ² demons from their lands and began growing rice to build up their homeland. And because of their hard work, they got a harvest every autumn. So the festival became an important day for them to welcome the harvest season and give wishes to each other.

　On the day, the Miao people wear traditional clothes and do different kinds of activities. They sing Miao songs, play Miao drums, perform lion or dragon dances, play the lusheng and so on. Young men and women also make use of this festival to find their true love. All people enjoy themselves at the festival.