Centuries-old Dong singing festival celebrates ethnic traditions in Hunan

中国日报网 2026-04-21 11:20:56

A centuries-old singing festival took place over the weekend in Tongdao Dong autonomous county, Huaihua, Hunan province, bringing together people from various ethnic groups across the border regions of Hunan, Guizhou, and the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

The Dawuliang Singing Festival, a cherished cultural event in the region, traces its origins to a tragic love story of the Dong ethnic group from more than 300 years ago. Over time, it has evolved into an annual celebration where young people from the Dong, Miao, Yao, and Zhuang ethnic groups come together to sing, socialize, and honor their cultural heritage.

Often referred to as the "Valentine's Day for the Dong people", the festival was recognized as a provincial intangible cultural heritage of Hunan in 2006. More than 20,000 songs across over 40 genres were preserved.

This year's event featured traditional singing and dancing performances, displays of Dong brocade weaving, and a variety of other folk activities. According to organizers, of the 1,117 performers at the event, 831 were locals, highlighting the grassroots nature of the celebration.

The Dawuliang Singing Festival, a centuries-old ethnic cultural event, opens in Tongdao Dong autonomous county, Huaihua, Hunan province, on Saturday. [Photo by Zhang Zhuo/for chinadaily.com.cn]

The Dawuliang Singing Festival, a centuries-old ethnic cultural event, opens in Tongdao Dong autonomous county, Huaihua, Hunan province, on Saturday. [Photo by Zhang Zhuo/for chinadaily.com.cn]
The Dawuliang Singing Festival, a centuries-old ethnic cultural event, opens in Tongdao Dong autonomous county, Huaihua, Hunan province, on Saturday. [Photo by Zhang Zhuo/for chinadaily.com.cn]

责编：黄思婷

一审：黄思婷

二审：王柯沣

三审：秦慧英

来源：中国日报网

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