Qiren Festival of Lisu people: Climbing the knife poles and cutting across the fire sea

“Climbing the knife pole and cutting across the fire sea”is a Chinese metaphor describing someone who endeavors to finish his mission while conquering any difficulties he faces. Well, for the Lisu people living in Yunnan, it is not an metaphor but a reality when they celebrate the Qiren Festival.

The Qiren Festival, or the Seven People’s Festival is a big day for Lisu people who live in west Yunnan. The festival originates from their primitive understandings of the trilateral relations between the universe, the earth and human beings. Lisu people regard the seventh day in Chinese lunar calendar as a special day for them. When it comes, they celebrate the Qiren Festival.

This year’s Qiren Festival fell on Feb. 22 and attracted numerous tourists from surrounding regions.

Every year, the “Climbing the knife poles and cutting across the fire sea” activity is the most eye-catching in the whole ceremony. Besides, tourists can also dance, sing, drink with the locals.

Editor: John Li