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THE WATER FESTIVAL
The Dai nationality has a population of over 840,000 people. They live mainly in Xishuangbanna, known as "The Land of Peacocks ", and Dehong Prefecture where people practice Hinayanan Buddhism.
The Dai people have a long and eventful history. They tend to be of a gentle disposition and an open-minded outlook. They are good-looking and you will be amazed to see that even in the most remote areas every woman still wears beautiful make-up. They have long been celebrated for their dancing skills. Most Dai villages are built along rivers with thatched bamboo houses.
The Water Splashing festival, held by the Dai Nationality in the sixth month of the Dai calendar (in the middle of April), is the most significant ceremonial occasion for the Dai. It is also known as the festival for bathing Buddha. The festival is related to a Buddhist legend wherein a dragon sprinkles fragrant showers on Lord Buddha at his birth. The Buddhist legend has gradually been mingled with the customs of the Dai people since their conversion to Buddhism.
Currently, the festival is a combination of the Flower Collecting Festival and the Water Splashing Fair. Other Dai legendary elements have been added to it, including the folklore of "seven beautiful Dai women getting rid of the fire fiend" and so on.
At present, The Water Splashing Festival is a traditional festival for the Dai people in Xishuangbanna and other places commemorating the Dai Calendar New Year, giving best wishes to friends and family. The festive activities include bathing Lord Buddha, sprinkling water onto each other for good fortune, dragon boat racing, launching rockets and Kongming Lanterns, going to the fair, etc. Young girls dance the Peacock Dance accompanied by the elephant leg drums. Young boys and girls throw finely embroidered purses to the persons with whom they are in love.
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