Yi people have a men’s festival! Queer?

In Yunnan, the Mizhi Festival is a Yi people’s traditional festival celebrated in November according to the Chinese lunar calendar (January on the solar calendar). 

The festival usually lasts for seven days, and its most significant part is to pray for safety and harmony among villagers. 

In addition,  activities like cockfight, wrestling, chicken catching and slingshot shooting are held during the festival, attracting numerous tourists every year. Ceremonies take place during the festival.

Since the sacrificial ceremony can only be attended by male grown-ups, the festival is also called the “Men’s Festival”. 

Editor: Wang Shixue