What is the origin of the Wave Water Festival?

It is said that once upon a time there was an evil demon who occupied the beautiful and rich Xishuangbanna and took seven beautiful girls as his wives. The girls are full of hatred, plotting how to kill the devil. One night, Nong Xiang, the youngest girl, got the devil drunk with the best wine and meat, making him reveal his fatal weakness.

It turns out that the demon king, who is neither afraid of heaven nor earth, is afraid to tie his neck with his hair. The alert little girl carefully pulls out a red hair of the demon king and ties his neck. Sure enough, the devil's head fell off and turned into a ball of fire. Wherever it rolled, the evil fire spread. The bamboo house was burned and the crops were burnt.

In order to put out the evil fire, the little girl grabbed the devil's head, and the other six girls took turns splashing water on it, and finally put out the evil fire in June of the Dai calendar. The villagers began to live and work in peace and contentment. Since then, there has been the custom of splashing water every year.

Extended information

The Water-Splashing Festival originated in Persia in the 5th century A.D., and was named "Cold-Splashing Hu Opera" at that time. After that, "Cold-Splashing Hu Opera" was introduced from Persia to Myanmar, Thailand and Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China, and was introduced to Dai areas in Yunnan, China with Buddhism through Myanmar from the end of the 12th century A.D. to the beginning of the 13th century. With the deepening influence of Buddhism in Dai areas, the Water-splashing Festival has become a national custom.

The Water-Splashing Festival is a comprehensive stage to show the traditional culture of the Dai people, such as water culture, music and dance culture, food culture, costume culture and folk worship, and it is an important window to study the history of the Dai people, with high academic value.

The artistic performances such as Zhangha and White Elephant Dance displayed in the Water-splashing Festival are helpful to understand the national characteristics of Dai people's understanding of nature, love the water's respect for Buddha, gentleness and calmness. At the same time, the Songkran Festival is also an important link to strengthen the great unity of the people of all ethnic groups in Xishuangbanna, which has played a positive role in friendly cooperation and exchanges between Xishuangbanna and Southeast Asian countries and in promoting the social, economic and cultural development of Xishuangbanna.

Baidu Encyclopedia-Water Splashing Festival (ethnic festivals)