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Drought won't stop water festival
By Wang Xiang |
March 25, 2010, Thursday
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Online Edition
Online Edition
THE traditional water-splashing festival in one of Yunnan's Dai Autonomous Prefectures will not be canceled despite the crippling drought that has strained water supplies.
Amid public doubts, the head of Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture Dao Linyin explained the water festival couldn't be canceled as it marked the Dai minority people's New Year celebrations for thousands of years, Shanghai Morning Post reported today.
Dao said the government would ensure people splash less water considering the drought. The festival, which usually lasts an entire day, will be shortened to two hours on April 15. The government also suggests people use small buckets for splashing.
Duan Jinhua, a Xishuangbanna official, said Water-Splashing Day for Dai people is like Spring Festival for Han people. He said water-splashing was designed as a ritual to pray for rain, like a rain dance.
Duan said Xishuangbannan government would suggest people splash water in a big fountain at the city's square so the water could be reused.
"There are many other activities on that day apart from water-splashing, such as boat racing and a fireworks show," Duan said. "It's just the name that gives people a wrong picture of the festival."
Amid public doubts, the head of Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture Dao Linyin explained the water festival couldn't be canceled as it marked the Dai minority people's New Year celebrations for thousands of years, Shanghai Morning Post reported today.
Dao said the government would ensure people splash less water considering the drought. The festival, which usually lasts an entire day, will be shortened to two hours on April 15. The government also suggests people use small buckets for splashing.
Duan Jinhua, a Xishuangbanna official, said Water-Splashing Day for Dai people is like Spring Festival for Han people. He said water-splashing was designed as a ritual to pray for rain, like a rain dance.
Duan said Xishuangbannan government would suggest people splash water in a big fountain at the city's square so the water could be reused.
"There are many other activities on that day apart from water-splashing, such as boat racing and a fireworks show," Duan said. "It's just the name that gives people a wrong picture of the festival."
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