Vibrant ethnic festival unfolds across Hainan

The March 3 Festival in Hainan province is a vibrant celebration that holds immense cultural significance for the Li and Miao ethnic groups.

Each year, on the third day of the third lunar month, these communities gather to commemorate their heritage and partake in joyous festivities. The special occasion serves as an opportunity for the ethnic groups to reflect on their ancestry and pay tribute to the enduring values of love, unity and resilience that have been integral to their cultural legacy.

Through traditional rituals, lively performances and communal gatherings, the March 3 Festival embodies the rich tapestry of the Li and Miao ethnic traditions, fostering a sense of pride, solidarity, and connection among participants.

The 2024 Hainan Li and Miao traditional festival has commenced at this year's main venue — Baoting Li and Miao autonomous county on Thursday. This year's festival has adopted the theme "Casting a strong sense of community among the Chinese nation and writing a new chapter of national unity and progress".

The festival has branch venues in 13 cities and counties across Hainan. The diverse array of folk activities at these venues includes singing, dancing, fashion shows, sacrificial ceremonies, intangible cultural heritage skills competitions and dragon boat races. Each event showcases strong ethnic customs and prominent local characteristics. The festival is immensely popular with the masses.