June 6th Folk Culture Festival

(Image source: www.travelzjj.com)

Event time: June6thinthe Chinese lunar calendar

Event introduction: "June 6th" is a traditional custom of Tujia ethnic group to commemorate their ancestors, which is dated back in the Hongwu period of Ming Dynasty. After six hundred years of development, it forms this unique Tujia folk culture festival. In 2008, "June 6th"is listed in the Zhangjiajie Municipal Folk Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection List.

The opening ceremony involves both professional team performances and folk shows. The ritual performance, playing downpipe, lantern show, Yang Drama, hand-waving dance, water dragon, and qigong represent characteristics on "June 6th" of Tujia ethnic group. Especially at the point when two long grass dragons and 11 short ones entering the venue, tourists and general public participate in the Water Splashing Carnival, which puts the festival to a climax.

“Culture is the stage, and tourism is the performer". Zhangjiajie" June 6th"Folk Culture Festival aims to leverage Tujia traditional festival and dig more cultural resources, thus developing and expanding the tourism market. This closely combines the traditional culture with the development of festival activities, and promotes the deep integration of tourism and culture.

The annual "June 6th" is not only the traditional anniversary and folk festival of Tujia ethnic group, but also a people's cultural activity in Zhangjiajie. General public will come and enjoy the festival, and also get further understanding of the traditional culture of Tujia people. Xiao Dan, a travel enthusiast, has traveled to many places and seen a lot of local folk cultural performances. She commented that the folk culture activities in Zhangjiajie are very good, and the performances are rich in local characteristics, which make her learn more about Tujia customs.

There are promotions of folk customs, folk delicacies, and bonfire carnivals during the festival. These activities make the tourists enjoy more in the festival, as well as show the hospitality from Tujia people in Zhangjiajie.