Join the Hani people in Mojiang, Yunnan, as locals and visitors smear black ash for luck, blessings, and joy during the vibrant Mohei Festival.
On May 1st, Sun Square in Mojiang, Yunnan, didn’t stay clean for long. Within minutes, faces turned black—and no one tried to wipe them off.
Locals and visitors gathered for the Hani “blackened face” ritual, part of the Mohei Festival. Some stood in groups, some wandered alone. It didn’t matter. Sooner or later, someone would step forward, smile, and gently press a hand of black ash onto your face.
The tradition goes back centuries. In Hani culture, fire is believed to come from the sun. The ash left behind is not just residue—it carries meaning. Over time, it became a symbol of blessing. So instead of avoiding it, people share it.
The idea is simple. The more ash, the more luck.
So the square quickly turns into a kind of playful chaos. Friends chase each other. Strangers don’t stay strangers for long. A quick touch on the cheek becomes a quiet way of saying: wish you well.
Meanwhile, music builds in the background. Singing, dancing, and performances unfold across the square. Some people stop to watch. Others stay in the game, faces already dark, still laughing.
The Mohei Festival runs every year from late April to early May, alongside the Hani Sun Festival and the Mojiang International Twins Festival.
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