In March, the sun jumps over the towering mountains, the Achang people dressed in gorgeous costumes sang and danced with the rhythm of Mangluo, showcasing the Achang people's joyful lives.

The Achang people dressed in gorgeous costumes. 

Every year on March 20th, the Achang people celebrate their grandest festival, the “Alu Woluo” Festival. The Achang people gather on the Woluo field singing the mythical epic of "Zhepama and Zhemima". Achang people in villages near and far wear festive costumes, carry paper-wrapped white elephants and green dragons tied with red colors, hold green branches and leaves, and surround the "Alu Woluo" sign erected in the center of the dance floor, set off firecrackers and sing "Woluo", perform a dragon and elephant dance with the rhythm of Xiangjiaogu, like a real carnival.

The Achang people celebrate the “Alu Woluo” Festival. 

The "Alu Woluo" Festival originated from the Achang's hunting tradition of "Deng Woluo" (Woluo Dance), the Achang's major traditional festival, which was formed during the Achang's history of migration, warfare, hunting, farming, and manual labor. It covers important cultural information including history, religion, customs, and arts.

The Achang people celebrate the “Alu Woluo” Festival. 

The Achang people celebrate the “Alu Woluo” Festival. 

"Woluo" is "Oluo" in Achang and is a "call and response" expression developed by the Achang in their hunting activities. It gradually developed into primitive singing and dancing to celebrate their catch, which developed into primitive worship of nature - "thank the gods of the mountains and forests for rewarding us with prey". Finally, it became a traditional festival that combines folk customs, handicrafts, singing, dancing, and instrumental music.

The Achang people celebrate the “Alu Woluo” Festival. 

In May 1993, the Standing Committee of the Dehong Prefecture People's Congress combined the “Woluo” Festival of the Achang ethnic group in Lianghe and the “Huijie” Festival (also called “Alu” Festival) of the Achang ethnic group in Longchuan County into one festival, that’s the "Alu Woluo" Festival. It is held annually on March 20th, for two days. In 2009, the “Alu Woluo” Festival was included in the second batch of provincial intangible cultural heritage list. 

The Achang people celebrate the “Alu Woluo” Festival. 

The Achang people celebrate the “Alu Woluo” Festival. 

As they perform the Woluo dance, they tell not only stories of animals, birds, but also stories of hunting and farming. It's more about the dance than the story. The whole dance is simple and cheerful, full of lively atmosphere and unique national style, which fully demonstrates the national character of the Achang people who are hardworking, brave, simple and forthright, and united and mutual assistance.

The Achang people celebrate the “Alu Woluo” Festival. 

The sound of forging knives clangs, the sound of weaving brocade chirps. The "Alu Woluo" Festival is not only a grand celebration of song and dance, but also a spectacular stage for showing exquisite skills. Cutting iron as though it were mud, Husa knife makers demonstrate their superb forging skills. Thousands of colorful threads criss-cross in intricate patterns, weaving a multitude of images on Achang brocade. 

Husa knife makers demonstrate their superb forging skills. 

The Achang people show Achang brocade.

After feasting your eyes, why not enjoy a bowl of Guoshou rice noodles, a refreshing delicacy that is particular to the spring season in Dehong.

Guoshou rice noodles.

With every sound, movement, and flavor, the "Alu Woluo" Festival presents you with the anticipated festive scenery.