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Dai ethnic people splashing in New Year
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E-mail CNTV, April 17, 2012
In Yunnan Province, China's Dai people are splashing in their New Year. As a symbol of prosperity and happiness, there is water here, there and everywhere in Xishuangbanna. CCTV's Jiang Nan has been to the festival for us.
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China's Dai people are splashing in their New Year. As a symbol of prosperity and happiness, there is water here, there and everywhere in Xishuangbanna. |
In April, you should come to Xishuangbanna armed with a pot of water. When you see a beautiful girl passing by, do not hesitate to sprinkle the contents of your pot on her. Don't worry, she won't get mad at you, but will smile at you instead. This is the Water Splashing Festival of the Dai People.
Drums and instruments can be heard together with the sound of roosters crowing as soon as the sun rises. That marks the beginning of the festival. You can also hear people shouting: "water! Water! Water!" as they walk down the streets with a bucket in hand. In the city's center where Water-splashing Square is located, thousands of people dress up in their traditional costumes and splash water at anyone passing by. Water symbolizes prosperity in the Dai culture. The more you get splashed, the more luck you will have in the New Year.
I'm now in the water splashing square where thousands of people are gathering in front of the water fountain and enjoying the festival. I have my bucket in my hand. Let's go and have some fun!
Dai people have a beautiful legend that explains the origin of this water-splashing festival. Once upon a time, an ugly beast took control of Xishuangbanna and forced 7 Dai girls to be his wives. The girls hated the beast and planned ways to kill him.
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China's Dai people are splashing in their New Year. As a symbol of prosperity and happiness, there is water here, there and everywhere in Xishuangbanna. |
One evening, the youngest girl made the beast a wonderful feast and prepared much wine. The beast got drunk and the girl cut its head off. But the beast's head turned into a fireball and rolled everywhere, setting fire to the surroundings. Then the girls together splashed water on the fireball, extinguishing it.
In the end, the Dai people lived happily ever after, and water became a holy symbol of purity, prosperity and victory. From then on, every New Year, water splashing became a tradition in the Dai culture, and draws visitors from across the country.
He Bin, visitor, said, "I am having great fun over here. Everyone forgets about their unhappiness and enjoys the blessing from water. The excitement and joyfulness cannot be found elsewhere. I will definitely come back again next year."
Laughter and joy fill the air. Water guns, buckets and basins are indeed a common sight. Everyone is wet all over. But still, no one is running away. Because they know, water is hope, water is blessing. So, people silently pray to be doused in a bucket! Through the sun, you can see the sparkling water drops hanging on the tips of people's hair, and every drop of water reflects the happiness in their heart.
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