[InKunming--Yunnan] On January 2, Hani people with the other people from different nationalities celebrated New Year Festival at Gaozhuangxi Shuangjing Square in Xishuangbanna Prefecture, Yunnan Province.

The New Year Festival, also named Gatangpa Festival(嘎汤帕节), is a grand and traditional festival for Hani people. Gatangpa is a dialect word of Hani language, meaning revival of the nature.  

Since 1987, Hani people had officially celebrated the festival in Xishuangbanna. On the day, they would sing and dance in a traditional way.

Hani bamboo-tube dance, Dai dance, and some of the old folk songs were displayed on the festival. The whole Gaozhuangxi Shuangjing Square was crowded by Hani people and people from other nationalities.  

Local specialties made by Hani people were also brought to the festival for sale too. People who attended the festival were immersed in celebration atmosphere. 

Related data shows that there are over 210,000 Hani people living in Xishuangbanna. They would celebrate the festival not only on the square, but also butcher pigs, make glutinous rice cakes and meet family members at homes on the day.  

Click here to view Chinese report.

 (Editors: Cathy Chen, Rachel)