The streets of London came alive with the vibrant sights, sounds, and flavors of Yunnan, a region in southwest China on Saturday, as residents experienced China's premier ethnic celebration, the Torch Festival.
This event was part of the inaugural Yunnan Cultural Festival, which showcased the unique cultures and innovations of Yunnan through a rich array of exhibitions, including traditional handicrafts, music, dance, and a selection of Yunnan cuisine, tea, and coffee.
One of the festival's main attractions was the Torch Festival, a significant event for the Yi people, one of China's largest and most vibrant ethnic minorities.
Nearly two-thirds of the Yi population reside in Yunnan. Celebrated alongside the Bai, Wa, Naxi, Lahu, and Lisu peoples, the Torch Festival, also known as "China's No. 1 Ethnic Festival" and the "Eastern Carnival Night," brought the night to life with bonfires, music, and the traditional Left Foot Dance.
The festivities kicked off with an ethnic costume fashion show, where the models are wearing the traditional dress of the Yi people, dazzled the crowd with vivid colors and intricate embroidery.
Yi women's clothing, a visual symphony of bright reds, blues, greens, and purples, created striking patterns that captivated onlookers.
The elaborate embroidery, featuring geometric patterns, floral designs, and animal motifs, carries deep cultural and symbolic meanings, with common motifs like the tiger symbolizing bravery.
A crowd favorite was the Yunnan cuisine, especially the iconic Cross Bridge Rice Noodles. This beloved street food from Kunming, Yunnan, combines silky tofu, rice noodles, classic Yunnan meat sauce, tangy pickled mustards, and crispy crushed peanuts.
The dish's rich and flavorful profile offered an unforgettable taste experience, with the queue for a taste stretching up to 20 meters.
Children were delighted by the engaging Jia Ma (甲马) woodblock printing workshop. Jia Ma, meaning "armor horse," is a unique art form from Dali, Yunnan, featuring motifs of gods, ghosts, birds, beasts, mountains, and vegetation.
Deeply ingrained in local culture, these prints are often burned or displayed at home to counter misfortune or promote well-being.
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