Long Table Banquets, song and dance performances, fire ceremonies, bonfire parties... In August, the people of Yunnan once again welcome the annual "Playing with Fire" carnival - the Torch Festival. On this splendid summer night, the Yi people dressed in traditional costumes join hands with visitors from all over the country, dancing and singing around the blazing bonfires, celebrating this passionately festive night together.

Bu Yunyun introduced the local specialty grapes to Sazal. Photo/Cao Yue

"Hello everyone, I am Sazal Ahmed from Bangladesh, and today I am going to celebrate the Torch Festival with the locals in Gaopo Community of Ala Sub-district," Sazal enthusiastically introduced to the global audience, standing on the ground covered with pine needles. "And I'm going to broadcast firstly the folk street and experience traditional Samei cultural activities with a local named Bu Yunyun."

A man dressed in Yi ethnic attire was holding a wooden pestle to pound glutinous rice cake. Photo/Tan Shiyan

"What's that sound over there? Let's take a look." Following the sound of pounding, Sazal walked into the crowd. A man in Yi ethnic attire was holding a wooden pestle, skillfully lifting it gently and then striking it hard. "We are pounding glutinous rice cakes. It's done by pounding like this, and the grains of glutinous rice will turn into a whole rice cake," Bu Yunyun patiently explained to Sazal.

Sazal was learning how to pound glutinous rice cake. Photo/Cao Yue

After listening to the explanation, Sazal took the pestle and imitated pounding the glutinous rice cake. However, he pounded a piece of glutinous rice out of the stone container. "You should pound it from the side like this." The local people took the pestle and taught the skills to Sazal. Sazal said, "The skill of pounding sticky rice cakes is really not easy to master!"

The local was introducing Yi embroidery to Sazal. Photo/Cao Yue

Later, they arrived at the Yi embroidery exhibition area. Sazal picked up several embroidered items and carefully looked the patterns on them. Bu Yunyun pointed to a piece of Yi ethnic clothing embroidered with exquisite patterns and said with a smile, "Every embroidery embodies the unique essence of Yi ethnic culture, and embroidery is also applied to various daily necessities. Look, this is a baby carrier." "What does it mean?" Seeing Sazal's puzzled expression, a granny beside them directly picked up her grandson and put him on Sazal's back, then tied the baby carrier. Sazal understood immediately and said, "This way of carrying a baby is both beautiful and practical."

As night fell, Sazal followed the crowd to the main stage of the Torch Festival. The stage was brightly lit, the music was lively, and the Samei people in traditional costumes danced to the rhythm of the festival, creating a vibrant and enthusiastic atmosphere. Sazal's camera focused on their elegant dance moves, each movement appearing particularly captivating.

Sazal was live streaming. Photo/Tan Shiyan

"Did you guys see? Behind me is the torch that will be lit tonight. It is made up of many pieces of wood stacked together." Sazal raised his voice and said loudly, "I can't wait to see the torch lit!"

The countdown began, "Ten, nine, eight..." The whole crowd counted down together, and each countdown was accompanied by cheers and anticipation. The tense atmosphere became stronger and stronger, and it seemed that everyone's heartbeat is synchronized with the countdown. "Ignite!" Finally, when the last second of the countdown is over, a professional of the ignition lighted the torch from the bottom, and in no time, a huge flame rised from the top of the torch, casting a dazzling light, illuminating the entire square. People cheered, and accompanied by lively music, they held each other's hands and danced around the blazing torch, creating a lively and cheerful scene.

The torch was blazing. Photo/Cao Yue

Cheers, laughter, and music blent together. It was a noisy, festive, carefree night. "This is my first time celebrating the Torch Festival, and I am so excited. Friends in front of the screen, you must come to Yunnan to experience the enthusiasm and carnival of the Torch Festival!" Sazal shouted.

This live broadcast was simultaneously aired on domestic and international social platforms such as Kunming Information Hub's official WeChat video platform, X (Twitter), and YouTube official accounts. The total number of views on various platforms reached 1.2375 million, with 223,400 interactions. The live broadcast captured the delighted face of Sazal from Bangladesh, the blazing torch of the Samei people in Gaopo Community, and the laughter of visitors from all over the country.

This live broadcast was simultaneously aired on Kunming Information Hub's official WeChat video platform, X (Twitter), and YouTube official accounts. Photo/Tan Shiyan

The end of the live broadcast does not mean the end of the Torch Festival. Sazal believes that the Torch Festival is not only an important festival for the Yi people, but also a window to showcase Yi culture, allowing people to feel the enthusiasm and love for life of the Yi people. He also hopes that in the future, more and more foreigners will come to Yunnan to experience the charm of the Torch Festival.

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(Editors: Amy, Christine)