Yanu Festival celebrated in Hechi

More than 2,000 people of the Miao ethnic group gathered in Nandan county, Hechi, South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region on May 1, to celebrate the Yanu Festival.

The Yanu Festival, also known as the "April Eighth Festival", falls on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month. It is one of the biggest days for the Miao ethnic group, when Miao people dress up and gather to sing and dance to commemorate folk hero Yanu.

Dressed in exquisite traditional Miao costumes, women dance to celebrate Yanu Festival in Nandan county, Hechi, South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, on May 1. [Photo by Gao Dongfeng/hcwang.cn]

The story goes that during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), local officials abducted several women and sent them in to the service of the emperor. Among the heartbroken young men who had lost their loved ones, Yayi led a force to fight against the government army. Three days later, Yanu led another troop to join them, and together they fought a war lasting over a year.

Despite the men's brave spirits and perseverance, they failed to defeat the powerful government army, and all died in an attack on April 8 in the lunar calendar. To commemorate the two heroes, the Miao people have held rituals and activities on the day ever since and made it a special ethnic festival.

Men of the Miao ethnic group play drums to celebrate the Yanu Festival. [Photo by Gao Dongfeng/hcwang.cn]

During the day, Miao people stage various ethnic performances including opera, singing, dancing, and playing musical instruments.

Dressed in their exquisite costumes, many young Miao people took part in the activities, using the opportunity to make friends and seek out potential romantic partners.

A large number of Miao people dress up and gather to sing and dance to commemorate the ancient folklore hero Yanu. [Photo by Gao Dongfeng/hcwang.cn]