Miao festival of Guzang celebrated in Guizhou

Miao people in Baibei village, Rongjiang county of Guizhou province, dance and play music to celebrate the once-in-13-years Guzang festival. [Photo by Wei Guijin/for chinadaily.com.cn] 

Miao villagers perform with lusheng reed pipes on Saturday to celebrate the Guzang festival in Baibei village, Rongjiang county, Guizhou province. Wearing traditional ethnic dress, the villagers danced and played music to celebrate the event.

The Guzang festival is a grand ceremony held every 13 years by the Miao ethnic people to worship their ancestors. It was included in the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage in 2006.

This year's event will last until Dec 30. During the event, Miao villagers wear traditional hundred-bird clothing with embroidery, raise long narrow flags with batik patterns and lead 20 bulls — used as sacrifices for the worship — to the bullring.

Zhao Yandi in Guiyang contributed to this story.

Miao people in Baibei village, Rongjiang county of Guizhou province, dance and play music to celebrate the once-in-13-years Guzang festival. [Photo by Wei Guijin/for chinadaily.com.cn]

Miao people in Baibei village, Rongjiang county of Guizhou province, dance and play music to celebrate the once-in-13-years Guzang festival. [Photo by Wei Guijin/for chinadaily.com.cn]

Miao people in Baibei village, Rongjiang county of Guizhou province, dance and play music to celebrate the once-in-13-years Guzang festival. [Photo by Wei Guijin/for chinadaily.com.cn]

Miao people in Baibei village, Rongjiang county of Guizhou province, dance and play music to celebrate the once-in-13-years Guzang festival. [Photo by Wei Guijin/for chinadaily.com.cn]