Flower Picking Festival is celebrated by the Yi people on the 8th day of the second lunar month (in March this year).

On the day, the Yi people who are living in Dayao County of Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture often get up early in the morning, carry bamboo baskets and go up the mountain to pick red camellias. They arrange flowers around their houses, doors, windows and furnitures. Some main roads connecting the village are also decorated with flower-covered platfonds. All decorations make the the village a world of flower. People dress up to celebrate together, singing, dancing, and wearing camellias on each other's heads to express best wishes. At night, campfire party is held at Axi villages, gathering lots of people form different places. People dance hand in hand, enjoying themselves the whole night.

About the origins of the festival, there are many legends. Among them, the story of Mi Yi Lu is the most popular one. Mi Yi Lu was a smart and beautiful Yi girl living in a small Yi village. However, villagers here were oppressed by a local despotic landlord for a long time. The evildoer wanted to marry the beauty strongly. In order to save villagers from his oppression, Mi Yi Lu granted his request. The girl gave her self up to help people get rid of the evil by sharing poisonous wine with the landlord at last. Hence, the Yi held the festival to commemorate Mi Yi Lu at the time every year.

(Editors:Hyesung,Minnie Mao)