A Brief History of Lisu Literature (Series of the History of Literature of China's Ethnic Minorities)

Author: Zuo Yutang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1999-12-01
Features: The Lisu ethnic group has its own unique traditional festivals. Among them, "Kuoshi Festival" is the most solemn traditional festival of the Lisu people. "Kuoshi" is a phonetic translation from the Lisu language, where "Kuo" means "year" and "Shi" means "new," so "Kuoshi" translates to "New Year." The festival period varies by region, generally held from the beginning of the twelfth lunar month to the early part of the first lunar month of the following year (when wild cherry blossoms are in full bloom). The festival usually lasts for twelve days (symbolizing the twelve months of the year), though it can be as short as seven or eight days. During the festival, every household makes glutinous rice cakes and rice cakes, brews various types of rice wine, slaughters pigs and chickens, prepares delicious food, and celebrates the traditional holiday. In some areas, a small amount of glutinous rice cakes pounded in a mortar is placed on peach, plum, and walnut trees to wish for good luck in the coming year; others also sacrifice to mountain gods, praying for favorable weather and a bountiful harvest in the following year. During the festival, people visit relatives and friends, exchanging blessings. Young men and women gather together to play on swings, shoot crossbows, sing duets, dance, and bathe in the spring. The elders, on the other hand, sing all night long, chanting the ancient song "Shui Gua."