Hechi's Yao community celebrates Panwang Festival

The ethnic Yao community in Bama Yao autonomous county of Hechi, Guangxi celebrated the Panwang Festival on Nov 27.

On the 16th day of the 10th month of the Chinese lunar calendar, Yao people - clad in colorful layers with elaborate embroidery - gather to sing and dance in celebration of the Panwang Festival, when they worship their mythological ancestor Pan Hu.

The festival has had a history of more than 1,700 years old. It has also gradually developed into an occasion to celebrate the harvest, nowadays.

Young women in splendid Yao attire celebrate the Panwang Festival in Bama Yao autonomous county, Hechi, Nov 27. [Photo by Liang Shaoen / Hechi Daily]

Yao people sing folk songs in celebration of the Panwang Festival in Bama Yao autonomous county, Hechi, Nov 27. [Photo by Liang Shaoen / Hechi Daily]

Locals celebrate the Panwang Festival with Yao style mask dance in Bama Yao autonomous county, Hechi, Nov 27. [Photo by Liang Shaoen / Hechi Daily]

The Panwang Festival celebration ritual in Bama Yao autonomous county, Hechi, Nov 27 [Photo by Liang Shaoen / Hechi Daily]