Yao Ethnic Group’s New Year Celebrated in Baojing

　　Yao people prepare "Lanmen wine" (greeting custom for local people to welcome distinguished guests) for guests.

Women of Yao ethnic group make ciba, a special glutinous rice cake.

Yao girls prepare sacrificial offerings for the ancestor-worshipping ritual.

Worshipping ceremony for Panwang, ancestor of Yao ethnic group

Lion dance to celebrate Yao people’s New Year

　　It is a tradition for Yao people to hold various culture-themed activities to celebrate its new year on the 28th day of the ninth month of Chinese lunar calendar every year. November 9 marked Yao people’s New Year celebration this year. On that occasion, series of colorful festivities were held in Cheqi Village of Wanmipo Town in Baojing County, drawing over 5,000 participants to embrace the New Year.

　　The New Year Celebration in Baojing consisted of three parts, namely, commemorating martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the revolutionary activities in 1934, "Lanmen wine" (greeting custom for local people to welcome distinguished guests) and folk performances, and worshipping Yao ancestor Panwang.

　　During the custom of Lanmen wine, Yao girls prepared rice wine, five-color glutinous rice and red eggs for guests, which are known as three traditional Yao gifts. Song and dance performances featured Yao culture were performed after the solemn ancestor-worshipping ceremony.