Yi Customs

My name is Chen Yao and I am a girl of Yi ethnicity. Since I was small, the magical Yi fire has burned in my heart. I am proud of being Yi. I like Yi customs very much.

Today people's marriages happen in large banquet halls, but Yi marriages are different. Yi marriages are very interesting. The bride will sit in her room and put on her new clothes, which are very beautiful. She has made her own wedding costume. After she has put on her clothes and make up, there are a series of traditional Yi ritual practices. After the bride performs these special customs in her home, the groom and his party come to the house. Then, in the midst of celebration and merry-making, the bride’s family will then make fun of the groom and his party. For example, the girls will splash the men with water and let them guess who is the bride among them. If one of them guesses the right bride, there's also a "seize the bride" game. Eventually, the sun sets and the groom carries the bride on his back as he slowly walks up the mountain road.

On the subject of Yi festivals, the most important and interesting is the "Seventh Month Torch Festival." There is a beautiful folk legend about this holiday. My mother told me that one day long long ago, an Yi town was plagued by insecs. The insects ate all the food and so many people starved. But there was one brave Yi man who raised a torch and chased away all the insects, allowing everyone to live safe lives again. To remember that day, the Yi people established this "Seventh Month Torch Festival."

"I am an Yi person, my heart is as wide as the mountains, because the high mountains raised us." Hearing this song, I can't help but feel proud to be Yi. Friends, there are many many Yi customs. The Yi are a friendly people. I welcome you to visit an Yi town. I believe you will like the warm and open Yi people.

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