| The Guzhang (water buffalo offal) Fertility Festival is one of the grand festivals of the Miao nationality. It has two purposes: one is to commemorate the ancestors of the Miao nationality who had come here as pioneers from other places; and the other is to celebrate the harvests of the past years. It takes place every 13 years, most recently in March 1992 at Langde Village, Taijiang County, when modern influences mixed with age-old customs.
Festivals continue for three to seven days. On the first day, the elected committee in charge of the festival climbs the mountains to search for the soul of the dragon, a symbol of good luck. The shaman guides the dragon soul into a duck, which is bought specifically for this purpose. In the evening, a pig is ceremonially killed and shared among all participants during a great celebratory feast. In times past, a water buffalo would be scarified, but now pigs are killed instead. Sharing the meat symbolizes sharing in the community and the preservation of old traditions that are linked with the good fortune, prosperity and fertility of the whole village.
During the festival period, the villagers delight in eating, singing and dancing all day and all night. It is still celebrated in Leishan County, Taijiang County, Jianhe County as well as in some areas around Kaili city.
The Guzhang (water buffalo offal) Fertility Festival is one of the grand festivals of the Miao nationality. It has two purposes: one is to commemorate the ancestors of the Miao nationality who had come here as pioneers from other places; and the other is to celebrate the harvests of the past years. It takes place every 13 years, most recently in March 1992 at Langde Village, Taijiang County, when modern influences mixed with age-old customs.
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