Water-Sprinkling Festival
Also calledDai New Year
Observed byDai people
SignificanceMarks the Dai New Year
Begins13 April
Ends15 April
Date13 April
Frequencyannual
Related toSouth and Southeast Asian solar New Year

The Water-Sprinkling Festival or Water-Splashing Festival (simplified Chinese 泼水节 ; traditional Chinese 潑水節; Pinyin: Pōshuǐ jié), is a major and traditional festival of the Dai nationality marking the New Year, and shares similar roots with the Songkran (Thailand). The Dai are an ethnic minority of China who primarily live in the Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture and Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture in southern Yunnan, and their predominant religion is Theravada Buddhism. This festival occurs on the 6th month of the Dai calendar, which usually corresponds to mid-April of the Gregorian calendar. Additionally, it is known as the Festival for Bathing the Buddha, and typically lasts for three days.[1]

On the first day, a variety of activities such as dragon boat races (held on the Lancang River), setting off of Dai rockets (放高升), and cultural and artistic performances are carried out. On the second day, water-splashing activities are enjoyed. The third and final day also coincides with New Year's Day, where people dress up in traditional garb and visit the temple. Water-splashing activities are carried out in the afternoon, where firstly, the women would clean statues of Buddha with water to obtain blessings; thereafter, individuals splash water on each other to symbolise not only good fortune, but also the "cleansing of illnesses and disasters". Furthermore, men and women take part in activities such as the exchange of small gifts and "losing of items", which are believed to bring good luck.[2][3][4][5][6]

Dates in Dai calendar

GregorianDateAnimalDay of the week GregorianDateAnimalDay of the week
200113 AprilSnakeFriday202613 AprilHorseTuesday
200213 AprilHorseSaturday202713 AprilGoatThursday
200313 AprilGoatSunday202813 AprilMonkeySaturday
200413 AprilMonkeyTuesday202913 AprilRoosterSunday
200513 AprilRoosterWednesday203013 AprilDogMonday
200613 AprilDogThursday203113 AprilElephantTuesday
200713 AprilElephantFriday203213 AprilRatThursday
200813 AprilRatSunday203313 AprilOxFriday
200913 AprilOxMonday203413 AprilTigerSaturday
201013 AprilTigerTuesday203513 AprilRabbitSunday
201113 AprilRabbitWednesday203613 AprilDragonTuesday
201213 AprilDragonFriday203713 AprilSnakeWednesday
201313 AprilSnakeSaturday203813 AprilHorseThursday
201413 AprilHorseSunday203913 AprilGoatFriday
201513 AprilGoatMonday204013 AprilMonkeySunday
201613 AprilMonkeyWednesday204113 AprilRoosterMonday
201713 AprilRoosterThursday204213 AprilDogTuesday
201813 AprilDogFriday204313 AprilElephantWednesday
201913 AprilElephantSaturday204413 AprilRatFriday
202013 AprilRatMonday204513 AprilOxSaturday
202113 AprilOxTuesday204613 AprilTigerSunday
202213 AprilTigerThursday204713 AprilRabbitMonday
202313 AprilRabbitFriday204813 AprilDragonWednesday
202413 AprilDragonSunday204913 AprilSnakeThursday
202513 AprilSnakeMonday205013 AprilHorseFriday

See also

References

  1. ↑ "傣族泼水节-荆楚网 www.cnhubei.com". Cnhubei.com. 2011-07-30. Retrieved 2013-10-13.
  2. ↑ "云南傣族泼水节-旅游地产-搜狐焦点网". House.focus.cn. Retrieved 2013-10-13.
  3. ↑ "泼水狂欢_在线视频观看_土豆网视频 泼水节 我爱拼网". Tudou.com. Retrieved 2013-10-13.
  4. ↑ "泼水节". Archived from the original on October 16, 2011. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  5. ↑ "泼水节_旅游频道_新华网". News.xinhuanet.com. Archived from the original on April 16, 2009. Retrieved 2013-10-13.
  6. ↑ "傣族泼水节". Archived from the original on April 25, 2012. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
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