The Yi People’s New Year, ‘Kushi’ in the Yi language, is a traditional festival for the Yi like the Spring Festival for the Han. The Yi New Year is celebrated after the autumn harvest in the month of the Rabbit in the Yi calendar (October by the Chinese Lunar Calendar). The precise day is decided by a local elder or Bimo who understands the calendar clearly.
The legal celebration is held on Dec.20 of the Solar Calendar. Traditionally, the Yi New Year is celebrated for three days. On the first day, people kill a pig, offer sacrifices to ancestors, and have dinner together. The second day is the happiest time. It is called ‘Duobo’ in the Yi language, which means ‘enjoying happiness’. On that day, there held many activities such as sports and entrainment performances. The men call on friends and neighbors one by one to express best whishes and ask for a drink of liquor. The third day is called ‘Afuboji’, which means ‘sending the ancestors to heaven’. Persons call on each other and exchange gifts.
