Editor’s Note: This article is produced in collaboration with the Chongqing Institute of Foreign Studies as part of a series of ongoing reports exploring the city’s abundant resources in intangible cultural heritage.

The Miao Sheep and Horse Festival stands out as a cultural gem in Xiushan, Chongqing.

Xiushan Tujia and Miao Autonomous County, located in southwestern China’s Chongqing Municipality, is hailed as the "backyard garden of Chongqing." Characterized by layered mountain ranges, clear waters, and gentle breezes, the county boasts a picturesque natural landscape. Amid this setting, the Miao Sheep and Horse Festival in Xiushan stands out as a cultural gem. Blending distinctive cultural elements of the Miao and Tujia ethnic groups, the festival is renowned for its grand scale and deep historical roots, making it a representative example of China’s intangible cultural heritage and folk customs.

The Xiushan Miao Sheep and Horse Festival usually takes place from the fifth to the sixth lunar month, spanning nearly a month. Its origins can be traced back to traditional sacrificial rituals of the Miao and Tujia ethnic groups, through which they expressed gratitude for nature's bounty and prayed for good weather. Throughout the festival, the entire county of Xiushan is immersed in a festive atmosphere, with joyful laughter echoing in every corner.

During the Sheep and Horse Festival, visitors can sample a rich variety of local culinary delights, such as Tujia sour-fermented meat, Miao rice wine, and Xiushan tofu. These specialties not only delight the palate but also offer deeper insight into the culinary cultures of the Tujia and Miao ethnic groups. Furthermore, handicraft exhibitions and markets are held, where visitors can purchase traditional Tujia and Miao crafts, including handwoven textiles, accessories, and bamboo ware.

However, the core of the Sheep and Horse Festival lies in the spontaneous rituals of deity worship and lively parades staged by the local community. During these events, thousands of residents dress in traditional costumes and gather in the county square, carrying flowers, fruits, and various offerings. They perform traditional dances of the Tujia and Miao ethnic groups to the accompaniment of lusheng music, a traditional wind instrument. Offerings are presented before statues of deities as participants pray for favorable weather and bountiful harvests. This ceremony, passed down for centuries, draws tens of thousands of visitors each year to witness its powerful and moving scenes.

More than a traditional celebration, the Sheep and Horse Festival serves as a vital vehicle for cultural heritage transmission. It preserves and promotes the ethnic cultures of the Tujia and Miao people, highlighting their customs and traditional values. By integrating cultural elements from both communities, the festival fosters cultural exchange and mutual understanding, contributing to ethnic unity and social harmony.

The Xiushan Miao Sheep and Horse Festival is an outstanding representative of China's intangible cultural heritage and a cultural treasure of Chongqing. This celebration seamlessly integrates the cultural characteristics of the Tujia and Miao ethnic groups, preserving a rich historical and cultural heritage while also creating economic opportunities for the local community. It is both a shared responsibility and a collective aspiration to protect and pass on this tradition, allowing the festival to continue offering cultural, religious, and recreational enjoyment, and to serve as a model for intangible cultural heritage preservation in Chongqing. This festival not only showcases the unique cultural charm of the Tujia and Miao people but also reflects the diversity and richness of China's multi-ethnic culture.

Chinese script: Lu Wenqin

Tutored by: Yuan Jingyi

Translation: Yan Jingyi

Tutored by: Jiang Jun, Wang Jing

Voice-over: Yang Yu