• Observed: Nov. 24, 2022
• Area: Guizhou

Dong New Year is a customary celebration of the Dong nation in Southeast Guizhou Territory. It is praised at various seasons starting with one region then onto the next, for the most part falling during the principal days of the 11th month of the Chinese lunar schedule. Some Dong individuals celebrate it toward the finish of the 10th month. In 2022, the Done New Year will be commended on Nov. 24th, at Zhaoxing Area, Qiandongnan prefecture, Guizhou Region.

Dong New Year Activities

Preparations

Before Dong New Year, the Dong public are extremely caught up with getting ready. They clean their homes, make rice cakes, and butcher creatures, and they additionally make penances to their progenitors, while consuming joss sticks and candles.

Costumes and Food-Giving

During the celebration, Dong individuals wear conventional ensembles and welcome their regarded visitors to a dining experience. They additionally send different sorts of food to their companions and family members, including cured vegetables, frozen fish, and ziba (cakes produced using cooked glutinous rice beat into glue). Typically beneficiaries of ziba return a comparable sum to the shippers during the Celebration. This is called ‘returning ziba’ by local people.

Performances

Various exhibitions are held during Dong New Year. Features are playing of the lusheng (a breeze instrument produced using bamboo) and bison battling, both drawing in enormous groups.

Weddings

Youthful Dong couples in Qiandongnan prefecture take full advantage of the celebration to assemble their wedding functions. They welcome companions and family members, adding a lot of gloss to the celebration.

The Origin of Dong New Year

A nearby legend about the beginning of Dong New Year goes this way:

There was an old tribal leader who appreciated incredible renown and deserved all inclusive admiration among the Dong public. He would not honor the Han sovereign, and this prompted battle between the Han and the Dong.

At the point when Dong locals were at long last encircled by the Han armed force, the old clan leader ventured forward and surrendered himself to safeguard the existences of the residents. He was captured and banished to watch the wilderness.

After a decade, the tribal leader was permitted to get back to his old neighborhood, and he showed up on the 30th of the 10th month. Every one of the locals beat drums and gongs and assembled to meet him, and they announced that day New Year’s Day for the Dong, to pay tribute to his return. Dong New Year was at first celebrated among the Dong of Liping Area, Rongjiang Province, and Congjiang District, however has now spread to all Dong individuals.