Torch Festival

The origins of the Torch Festival can be traced back to the Nanzhao Kingdom when the wife of a man burned to death by the King, expressed her distaste for the King's proposition, and her passion, by leaping into a fire.  It is predominantly a Yi minority Festival, but is now also celebrated by the Naxi and Bai minorities.  In the evening fire torches are lit in front houses, on the street and in the squares of the Lijing Old Town.  Flowers sometimes adorn the torches.  There are other activities througout the day including wrestling, horse-racing and singing contests (some of these animal activities may be upsetting to some).