The Miao Flower Mountain Festival
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The Miao Flower Mountain Festival (Chinese: 苗族花山节), also known as the Treading on Flower Festival, is a traditional occasion for the Miao, a Chinese ethnic group. It represents a chance for the youth to express love and a chance for middle-aged and older people to bless each other.
The date of the festival varies, as the Miao live in different parts of the province. In the south of Yunnan province the festival occurs during the first month of the lunar year and in the north eastern / central province the fifth day of the fifth month during the lunar year.
Festivities
Festivities begin with a toast to the participants, followed by the beating of gongs and drums mixed with firecrackers and gunshots. People sing and dance to reed-pipe music and enjoy themselves throughout the night.