The Knife-Pole Festival

Lisu minority is an ancient people, whose name first appeared in the Tang Dynasty (618-907). According to historical records and folk legend, the forbears of the Lisu people lived along the banks of the Jinsha River.
The Lisu people divides a year into ten months, based on their natural calendar. Their traditional festivals include the New Year Festival, the Knife-Pole Festival, the Mid-autumn Festival and the Harvest Festival.
The Knife-Pole Festival on Feb 8 in the Chinese lunar calendar aims to memorialize a Han hero who taught the Lisu people how to make knives and is the exclusive and traditional festival of the Lisu ethnic minority. On that day, various activities including "Climb Knife Pole" and "Dive into Fire Sea" will be held. The Knife-Pole Festival absorbs the spirits of the Lisu people, and is a royal and luxuriant celebration.