Bouyei culture comes alive at 'June 6' festival in Guiyang

A celebration of Bouyei culture took place in Pianpo Bouyei ethnic township of Wudang district, Guiyang, on July 18 and 19, as people from different ethnic groups and visitors from across China gathered to celebrate the 2026 "June 6" Ethnic Cultural Festival.

"June 6" is a traditional festival that developed among the Bouyei people over centuries of agricultural life and is one of their most important traditional celebrations.

During the festival, local Bouyei residents dressed in traditional costumes and welcomed guests from near and far with a traditional gate-blocking wine ceremony at Pana Bridge. Visitors then entered the main venue of the celebration, where they enjoyed immersive experiences of Bouyei folk customs, including bamboo pole dancing and making glutinous rice cakes, while watching ethnic song and dance performances.

Traditional farming-themed activities also added to the fun. At a campsite, visitors took part in grassland chicken-catching games and tried their hand at catching ducks in a lotus pond.

As night fell, people of different ethnic groups joined hands, gathered around the bonfire and danced to traditional songs, bringing the festive celebrations to a lively close.