Torch Festival of the Yi Ethnic Minority 彝族火把节

云南的彝族、白族、纳西族、哈尼族、傈僳族、拉祜族、普米族等少数民族都有共同的节日——火把节，但参加人数最多、规模最大、知名度最高的当数彝族火把节。火把节也是彝族人民最隆重的节日。
The ethnic minorities in Yunnan such as the Yi, Bai, Naxi, Hani, Lisu, Lahu and Pumi have a common festival – the Torch Festival. The Torch Festival of the Yi features the largest number of participants, with bright burning flames and torches. The Torch Festival is the grandest festival of the Yi people.
火把节古代又称“星回节”。关于星回节的起源，其说法各不相同：纳西族是为纪念一位保护人间五谷丰收而牺牲的天将；傈僳族是为欢迎诸葛亮南征而点燃火把前去驱散前进路上的瘴气，赶走猛兽；彝族是为除虫害、庆丰收；彝族支系撒尼人则是为庆贺撒尼英雄用羊角火烧死欺压撒尼人的魔王。
In ancient times, the Torch Festival was called Xinghui Festival. Different ethnic minorities had different sayings on the origin of the festival. For the Naxi, the festival commemorates a general from heaven who died in order to protect people’s grain harvests; the Lisu people think the festival was for welcoming Zhuge Liang’s expedition to the south, and the torch was to drive away the diseases and beasts on the way forward; the Yi people celebrate the festival to eradicate insect swarms and celebrate a good harvest; while the Sani people, a branch of the Yi ethnic group, believe that the festival is held to commemorate a Sani hero who burned the fiend with a goat horn. The fiend used to bully Sani people.
为除虫害、庆丰收，每年农历6月24日至25日（阳历7月8～9日），彝族人民都要穿上节日盛装，弹着月琴、大三弦，吹着芦笙来参加火把节。
In order to eliminate insects and celebrate good harvest, on the 24th to the 25th days of the sixth month of Chinese lunar calendar (July 8-9), all the Yi people, wearing their festival suits, play Yu-kin musical instruments and the great three-stringed instrument to participate in Torch Festival.
火把节的内容程序是：白天人们饮酒祝贺节日并进行摔跤、斗牛活动。武定县、禄劝县等地的彝族还开展射箭、赛马、打秋千等活动。到了晚上日落夜黑，家家户户的大人小孩就把事先做好的长约2米、直径约20～30公分的干松柱火把点燃。人们高举火把汇村头、寨边或广场上，然后在松林、田间奔驰，表示驱除虫害邪恶，以求丰收幸福。
During the day, people drink liquor to celebrate the festival and take part in wrestling and bullfighting activities. In Wuding and Luquan Counties, the Yi also have activities such as archery, horse racing and swinging . At night, everyone lights a torch that is 2 meters long and 20-30 cm in diameter, which are made of dry pine sticks. Holding the torch high, they gather in front of their villages or near the village square. Then, they run in the pine forests and on the farmland to drive away insects and evil spirits, and pray for a good harvest.
每年逢火把节的晚上，从昆明到路南县石林风景区的中外游客有数万人至十几万人，每个人手持火把，与彝族人民汇集在石林风景区，把整个大地照得通红，形成灿烂耀目的火海。为给旅游者助兴，当地政府还在石林风景区组织放礼花，整个夜空五彩缤纷，使观者目不暇接。
On the night of the Torch Festival every year, several thousand Chinese and foreign visitors go to the Stone Forest Scenic Spot, each holding a torch and gathering with the Yi people. In order to entertain the visitors, the local government also sets off fireworks in the Stone Forest.
在火把节活动中，彝族人民还用火把架在一起，举行篝火晚会。在篝火傍，彝族青年男子吹起笛子、弹起动听的月琴和大三弦，边弹边舞，姑娘们也合着拍跳起优美的舞步，拍掌跳转，节奏强烈而情绪欢快。有时一直跳到天明。
On the night of the Torch Festival, Yi people also put their torch together in a bonfire. Around the bonfires, young men play flutes, yu-kins and great three-stringed instruments while dancing. Young women also dance gracefully according to the tempos while clapping their hands and spinning around. The strong rhythms also encourage people’s enthusiasm. Sometime, the activity lasts until dawn.