My grandparents and parents have long said that they will take me back to my hometown in Yunnan for the Torch Festival this summer vacation. I've been nervous and looking forward to it. I don't know how the Torch Festival is spent. Is it scary to burn? Will it cause a fire?
Dad said that the Torch Festival on June 25th of the lunar calendar is a traditional festival of Bai people. Worship torches, lighting torches, lighting torches and jumping torches are very lively activities to wish crops a bumper harvest and livestock abundance. We arrived in Jianchuan County of Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture one day in advance, which is our hometown, but this is my first time. This is a very peaceful and quiet town, and the weather is much cooler than Hangzhou. We were warmly received by relatives in our hometown. On the morning of Torch Festival, we got up and saw that the street was full of festive atmosphere. Many people put torches, large and small, at the door. Some people set up stalls to sell things connected by a foot-long discarded bicycle tire. Some people sell them in sacks filled with a pile of powder. I asked my father what these were for. My dad said you would know at night. Oh, dad, what are you selling? It's really urgent!
A shed was set up in front of the old house, with many snacks such as melon seeds, red dates, peanuts and fried broad beans, as well as a pot of brewed tea and spare disposable cups. There are many things piled up in the street in front of the door. The most striking thing is a pine tree with a length of 8 or 9 meters and a diameter of about 20 centimeters. The branches are straight and the pine needles at the top are still green. There are also a lot of wood being split into long strips; In addition, there is a shelf made of bamboo sticks and paper (called "raw bucket"). On the top, there is a big doll with a smile and faces all around. Oh, this is embarrassing. Sitting on a lotus-shaped table, the table says "Peace and good luck". Grandpa said this is a lotus boy, praying for the child. This year, this torch in my family was specially made for me. Those foods and drinks.
The invited workers are busy starting to tie torches. They circled the cut wood around the trunk of the pine tree. This year is a leap year, so we should surround them thirteen times, one circle represents one month, and pray for peace and smoothness throughout the year. After the enclosure, put the bucket on it, hang bonuses, pears, copper coins and other things on the torch, and insert many colorful flags. After the torch is completed,
After lunch, we walked around the city and found that there were two or three fire handles on every street, many of which were written with the words "good weather" and "abundant crops" You don't have to count the small torches, you can't even count them! People smiled and said "congratulations" and "congratulations" to each other. The enthusiastic host stuffed candy and fried broad beans into our hands from time to time, and my clothes pockets were full! I don't know what a spectacular sight it is. After the torch of the city is lit at night ... time can pass slowly!
At about three or four o'clock in the afternoon, the ceremony before the ignition ceremony officially began. First of all, many aunts and mothers-in-law in traditional Bai costumes surrounded my torch and danced happily with beautiful music. They danced and sang as they walked. Although I don't understand what to sing, I just look happy. There is a platform on the front of the torch, on which offerings such as melons and fruits are placed, candles are lit, and five Taoist priests are carrying out a ceremony that is said to be used to exorcise evil spirits and pray for blessings. Later, holding a sword, dancing for a while and swimming around the torch for a while; Later, I put a small bowl lit with candles on my head, and I held a small bowl lit with fire in one hand. Walking and jumping for a long time, the bowl on my head and hands kept burning and the fire didn't go out. It's amazing!
After dinner, it's getting dark, and finally it's time to point the handle! I've always wondered how high this torch is. What should I do? It turned out that a burning Song Ming was tied to it with a long pole, and then it was lifted to light a bundle of kindling straw on the torch. It's on fire soon, and everyone cheers! The wooden block tied to the torch was already dry, so it was easy to burn, and then it burned down slowly. After the igniter lit our torch, he lit other torches with a pole. We slowly watched the torches around him light up one by one, and the raging flames echoed each other from a distance, which was very spectacular.
Do you think this is the end? No, no, this is a prelude! Look at Xiong Haizi running all over the ground, they are the protagonists of the Torch Festival! Everyone has a small torch in his hand (that is, the combination of the wooden stick and the tire mentioned above), holding the wooden stick in one hand and lighting the tire in the other; Carry a bag in one hand, which contains the powder mentioned above (mixed with sawdust and rosin powder), then grab a handful of powder and throw it on a small torch, and there will be a big fire! It looks scary, but there is nothing dangerous. Just don't burn your hair. They are looking for people to burn everywhere with weapons and equipment. If they come to "ask for a burn", just stand and let them burn. If you don't want to burn to death, hide!
To join the carnival, you must be fully armed first. Be sure to wear tight clothes, wrap your arms and legs, and the most important thing is to wear cotton. Adults say that chemical fiber will definitely burn out when it is burned, and cotton will be fine. Some people wear motorcycle helmets, which seems a bit exaggerated. My father and I both changed clothes, rushed out of the door with "weapons" and began to "sweep". When I was in high spirits, I suddenly felt a fever on my legs. Looking back, it turned out that dad hit me! To get back at him, I burned him severely, haha!
I didn't expect Torch Festival to be so interesting! I hope everyone will be safe, smooth and profitable in the new year, but also have a good weather and live and work in peace!