The Water-Splashing Festival (泼水节) is a traditional festival for the Dai people in Yunnan Province. Held during the sixth month of the Dai calendar, it usually (last) three or four days.
During the festival, the door of every house (decorate) with multicolored pieces of paper. All the villagers are dressed in their holiday clothing. Sheep and cows are killed for feasting. The occasion is marked by a variety of entertainment, including singing and dancing, fireworks displays, boat racing, exhibiting Kongming lanterns, (parade) and fairs.
Water splashing is (centre) to all events because water, the symbol of goodness purity, is the most precious thing to the Dai. During the festival, men and women gather in public squares, armed with buckets of water or (carry) water guns to wet each other in wishes for good luck and a happy new year. At night, music (accompany) by drumbeats echoes throughout the villages, and people sing and dance to enjoy (they).
The festival exhibits the Dai's respect for water and the culture of music and dance, food and costumes. It is also a cultural bridge Yunnan province and Southeast Asian countries share the same festive culture of water-splashing.
