Yi ethnic people celebrate Torch Festival in Sichuan

Yi ethnic people and tourists dance in a circle around a bonfire as they celebrate the Torch Festival in Xichang city, Liangshan Yi autonomous prefecture, Southwest China's Sichuan province, on July 27, 2016. [Photo/IC]

The Torch Festival is the biggest folk event of the Yi ethnic group with a history of 2000 years. It is usually celebrated on the 24th or 25th day of the sixth month of the Yi calendar.

During the festival, Yi ethnic group hold wrestling and bullfighting events. But the real event starts at night. People either light torches to pray for a good harvest or light bonfires and host parties with singing and dancing.

The Torch Festival is now recognized as one of China's intangible culture heritages.