1-San Yue Jie GateEach year, our local town, Dali, hosts an event called 三月节 (or “San Yue Jie” which literally means “3rd full moon festival”).  Because it is based on the lunar calendar, this festival is usually held in late April or early May.  For over 1,000 years, people from across China and neighboring countries like Myanmar (Burma), Laos, Vietnam and Tibet* have made the trek to Dali for this annual event!  Today, over 1M people come to Dali for this event each year.
Historically, this was the time when people from the region’s villages gathered to buy and sell handmade crafts, tools, Chinese medicine and other special items that would last for the next year.  One source says this is the largest fair of its kind in all of China.
This year, I managed to attend the opening ceremony which features a variety of local minority songs and dances, including the traditional Chinese dragon dance.  One of the things that makes this type of festival special to me is the realization that most of these dancers are local parents, daughters, sons, siblings, shopkeepers, farmers and students.  These are our neighbors!
Horse races are also a big draw each year and this year I went on Day 1 (which features much better horses than Day 2).  With all these people coming to town from all over the SW part of China and beyond, it’s a great opportunity for people-watching.
Rather than write too much more about this event, I’ll share some of this year’s pics in a photo-essay format.  Hope you enjoy!
2-Crowd
Opening ceremony crowd
3-SwatOfficer
After watching this officer for an extended period, I concluded he was genuinely serious about giving his very best to the job of providing public security.  Impressive, since crowd control in China can be a seemingly impossible task!
4-BaiLadies
These are not “costumes” per se.  They are traditional ethnic minority clothing, still worn by many local minorities.  These are local Bai ladies.
5-EthnicLadies
My favorite minority dress at this event.  So colorful!

6-EthnicLadies

7-DragonLadies
Dragon ladies waiting patiently for the official start.
8-DragonLadies
Local Bai ladies having fun with their dragon dance!

9-DragonLadies10-ManinHat

11-BlueDancers

12-GreenBoys
I thought the umbrella and flowers really completed these men’s pretty outfits!
13-BoysinHood
Boys from the “hood”
14-BoysinLine
Boys all lined up for their dance.
15-BaiGirlsinLine
My guess: beauty queens for the event.
16-BaiGirlsinLine
And the winner is…?!
17-VIPs
What’s a big event without the local VIP’s?!
18-DaliDragonLadies
Even after a long event, these local ladies were willing to pose for pics…thanks!
19-Zacheas
Modern-day Zacchaeus!

20-Girl

21-Lady

22-Girl
This little girl was so tired and bored while waiting for the event to begin.  I watched as she tried SO many emotions and distractions to deal with the long wait!

23-Lady

24-GirlwBalloon
Couldn’t resist sharing 2 pics of this cute girl!
25-GirlwBalloon
At times, she seemed fascinated with her new balloon!
26-3Ladies
So glad these ladies were willing to stop and allow me to take their photo.  Thanks!
27-BalloonMan
What would a fair be without a clown making balloons!
28-Granpa+Grandaughter
Such a sweet granddaughter just sitting on the curb with her grandpa.
29-Lady
This lady was very friendly, did not mind me taking her picture and even happy to chat!

30-Lady

31-Lady32-Man33-Lady34-GirlwGlasses35-Lady36-Boy&Father37-Lady38-BoywHat39-Lady40-Girl
41-Lady42-Granpa&Child43-Lady44-ManwHat45-Lady46-LadywChild

47-LadywChild48-LadyCloseup49-Girl

50-MuslimGirl
Young muslim girl…she seemed to have such a gentle, quiet spirit.
51-Selfie
Look, an “old-fashioned” selfie without a stick!
52-ManwHat
I watched this man for a long time, as he stood near me…likely waiting for family or friends.
53-Lady
It took a long time to get a picture of this elegant lady…and it was worth the wait as the camera captured her having a friendly banter with a man who seemed to her husband.
54-Lady
Too bad this photo could not capture this woman’s walk…not to mention the stories I’m sure she could tell of living in China over the past 65+ years.

55-Girl

56-ManwSmoke
Even in a crowd of thousands, it would have been difficult not to notice this striking man walking by!

59-Child60-Lady

61-Lady2
Not sure “who” or “what” she sees…just glad it’s not me!

62-LadywChild

63-Trouble
The photo that almost got me in big trouble!
64-TroublewHusband
The photo that saved me:  June with her husband (they are from LA!)
65-RaceGate
Entrance gate to the horse races
66-CrowdatRace
Crowd-watching at the horse races…

67-RaceHorse

68-SanYueJieGate
Parting shot of the entrance gate to San Yue Jie
Final-BaiHouse
This view tells you this is “Bai country”…more on that later!
In case you’re interested, there are two leading versions of the historical origin of San Yue Jie.  The following story is the most popular among locals today:
“Once upon a time, a young fisherman near Er Sea married Third Princess of Dragon King.  On March 15, the moon was round and bright.  The Princess looked at the moon, and remembered the Yue Jie held by Chang E.  Therefore, she and her husband went to Yue Jie by riding a dragon.  She liked all the goods on the moon, but she couldn’t buy them.  The couple made up their mind to hold a Yue Jie of their own at the foot of the Diancang Hill, so that the civilians could buy anything they liked.  Subsequently, they planted a tree on the slope of the Zhonghe Hill and the fair was held every March 15.”
Source: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/41846069_Exclusion_or_Inclusion_The_Minority_Culture_Protection_Inheritance_and_Development_in_the_Festival_Economy_A_Case_Study_of_San_Yue_Jie_Festival_of_Bai_Nationality_Dali

*NOTE:  Today, Tibet is an Autonomous Region under Chinese government authority.

Copyright © Kevin Beaty, YUNEV and “Feet on the Ground…”, 2016.  All rights reserved.

13 Thoughts to “San Yue Jie”

  1. Cheryl Wunderlich

    Great pics. Made me feel
    like I was there.

  2. linda norton

    Thank you Kevin. So fun to spend the day with you in pictures. Linda Norton

    Sent from my iPad

  3. Most interesting!! You did a great job putting this together with so many pictures and comments. Thanks for sharing. Love you, Mom

    Sent from my iPad

    >

  4. Beautiful capturing of the festival! Enjoyed the story line also. You are a great photographer also!

  5. Elizabeth Sturcken

    Really love your posts Kevin and I was blessed with some time on the bus to really immerse myself in these pictures. They really capture the essence of all of the people and the energy of it all. Thanks so much for sharing!

  6. Moore, Tom

    Fabulous Pics! Incredible colors. Next year maybe you will be in the dragon dance…☺

  7. Mary Ann Gifford

    Great pictures Kevin! Thanks for sharing so that we could do “people watching” with you.

  8. Deb Foley

    Great pictures, loved “people watching” with you, felt like I was right there with you! Fabulous colors and the people look like they are having a great time!

  9. Carolyn and Ray Schroeder

    What a colorful culture! You have seen so much! Thanks for sharing it with us. Carolyn and Ray

  10. Wow! The colors and exotic faces and clothing, what a festival! You made us feel we were right there. You should send your work to National Geographic!

  11. May Braverman

    Hi Kevin, we’d like to know if we could feature some of your images and credit you on our blog for this festival! Thanks! — The Linden Centre

    1. May, please feel free to use with proper attributions and link back to YUNEV’s “Feet on the Ground” blog. Best wishes! Kevin

    2. Perhaps we can work a trade the next time I’m in Xizhou!

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