Celebrating Shenyu Festival: Thousands of people compete in catching fish

The Shenyu Festival, an event to celebrate the natural bounty of fish harvest, takes place every April in Menglian Dai, Lahu and Wa Autonomous County of Pu’er City, southwest China’s Yunnan Province. About 10,000 people participated in this year’s festival.

“Shenyu” literally means “sacred fish”. As the legend goes, fishes were sent to Menglian by the Buddha a long time ago to improve the local people’s life. Then annual celebrations are held to memorize such gift.

During every Shenyu Festival, thousands of people flock to the Nanlei River in Menglian to catch fishes, and the one who catches the largest will be rewarded. Prior to the competition, tons of fish are released into the river. An equally important ritual is held as well, wishing fishes to bring blessings and educating people to conduct sustainable fishing.