Festivals in Hainan Province

Junpo Festival

It is the biggest festival of local Han people after Chinese New Year to worship the national heroine called Madam Xian (513-603). Madam Xian was a politician and militarist who has been honored by the folks of Hainan for 1300 years. She conquered the local rebellions and actively promoted the communication of Hainan Island with mainland China. She has donated all her life to the development of local agricultural and economy.

Junpo Festival lasts four days from February 9th to 12th (lunar calendar, around early March in Solar Calendar). During these days, Hainan people dress up in military uniform and perform lion dances & singing. In some places, the local people will kowtow to the statures of their beloved folk heroine and carry out the demonstration in every village. Some people come to worship in the temples with cooked chicken, meat, wine, incenses and candles to pray for the new life. Of course, it is a big ban meal for all villages.

Sanyuesan Festival

The Sanyuesan Festival, also named March Third Festival is the traditional festival of the Li and Miao minorities in the Hainan Island which takes place on the 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month of the year. This is the chance for the young girls and boys to get together for singing and dancing. Young people will look for their beloved by singing and dancing competition.

Preparation for the festival starts half a month in advance. Men go hunting and women cook dishes. Then they will gather near a big cave or a big square to enjoy Zongzi (stick rice wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves) and cakes, and gather from far and near in the front of the caves.

Bamboo Dance is a must during this festival by girls and boys in traditional clothes. Other games include wrestling, push-and-pull, shooting and swinging.

Source: China.org.cn