Qiang New Year festival

Thousands of Qiang people have dinner together, celebrating the New Year Festival on Nov 18, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

The Qiang New Year Festival, always held on the first day of the tenth lunar month, is an important occasion for the Qiang people inhabiting China's Sichuan province. On that day they show their gratitude for prosperity and reaffirm their harmonious and respectful relationship with nature. The festival also promotes social and family harmony among the Qiang people.

A solemn ritual sacrifice of a goat to the mountain is performed during the festival by villagers dressed in their finest ceremonial clothing. After the ritual, sheepskin-drumming and salang dances are performed by the priest.

At the end of the day, heads of the families preside over a family worship during which sacrifices and offerings are made.