Written by: Wei Liming
Posted on: July 05, 2015 | 
Knife-Pole Festival of Lisu
According to the historical records, the ancestors of the Lisu once lived along the banks of Jinsha River and Yalong River. Between the 15th and 19th century, they gradually migrated to the drainage areas of the Nu River and Lancang River. The Lisu people have their own language, which is a branch of Tibeto-Burman language group.
The Lisu people are mainly engaged in farming for subsistence. Hunting also plays an important role in their living. The Lisu people are well known for their hospitality and unique etiquette.
The annual Knife-Pole Festival on the eighth of the second lunar month features a physical contest with a history dating back to hundreds of years. The festival is held to remember a Han hero, Wang Ji, a minister of War during the Ming Dynasty. He was sent by the Ming government to drive away other ethnic people that intruded into the Lisu area. On eighth February of the Lunar Year, Wang Ji was killed by traitors on his way back to Beijing, the then capital of the Ming Dynasty.
The Knife-Pole Festival then became the exclusive and traditional festival of the Lisu people. On this day, people dress up flock to watch various activities including "Climbing Knife Pole" and "Diving into Fire Sea."
The performers of Knife-Pole jump and dance over burned coal bare-feet and half-naked, imitating the behavior of animals. They even brush some coal over their body and rub coal balls on their hands. The "fire wash" is meant to fend off all the possible disasters and troubles in the coming new year.
Other performers put on red clothes and turbans to stride up to a 20 meters long knife ladder that was tied with 36 knives. After kneeling down in front of a portrait of Wang Ji and drinking a bowl of wine prepared for them, they begin to climb the knife ladder. The first one to reach the top is hailed and applauded with firecrackers. Surprisingly, these men return to the group safe and round, without even the slightest scratches.
This special and exciting memorial ceremony has been officially designated as the traditional festival for the Lisu people.
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