Lisu Nationality: A Brave And Warm-hearted Ethnic Group
Lisu Nationality is unique to Yunnan and has a population of 609,800, most of whom live in Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture in Northwest Yunnan. Carrying the bow all the time is a true portrayal of the brave and diligent Lisu men. Most Lisu women wear long linen skirts and have coral decorations on the head and a string of chest decorations of agate, seashells and silver coins.
The Sword-craft Festival: A Festival of Lisu Warriors
Every February 8th, Lisus in Nujiang, Tengchong and Baoshan will celebrate this festival. They will fasten 36 or 72 sharp long swords to two poles 15m in height with the edge facing upwards. Accompanied by fireworks and gongs, six Lisu warriors will climb up the poles bare-footed and bare-handed after drinking a bowl of wine. When they have reached the top, they will light the fireworks hanging there, which will initiate cheers from the audience.
Kuoshi Festival: The Lisu New Year Festival
This festival falls on November 20th and “Kuoshi” means “New Year” in Lisu language. Kuoshi Festival will last twelve days which symbolize the twelve months, during which every Lisu family will kill pigs and sheep and brew wine as a celebration. It is Lisu’s carnival during which Lisus will enjoy themselves around the clock.
"The Spring Bath": A Bath Meeting in Nujiang Canyon
There are numerous hot springs in Nujiang Canyon. From January 2nd to January 6th on the lunar calendar in the Spring Festival Season, all Lisus nearby will come to have a hot-spring bath and bring with them sumptuous food. The most popular is the singing-contest which will last the whole day. Singing and cheers are overflowing over Nujiang Canyon during the “Bath Meeting”.
Drinking together with Affection: Lisu’s Shared Wine
All Lisus like drinking and the most interesting is the drinking of “Shared Wine” which goes as follows: two persons hold one bowl of wine with one hand, the other hand holding the shoulder and the neck of the other person. Head against head, they drink from the same bowl. If some hospitable Lisus ask you to drink the Shared Wine, that means they trust you and want to build up friendship with you.
