The Water-Sprinkling Festival or Water-Splashing Festival (simplified Chinese 泼水节 ; traditional Chinese 潑水節; Pinyin: Pōshuǐ jié), is a major and traditional festival of the Dai ethnic group marking the New Year.
Additionally, it is known as the Festival for Bathing the Buddha, and typically lasts for three days.
[1] On the first day, a variety of activities such as dragon boat races (held on the Lancang River), setting off of Dai rockets (放高升), and cultural and artistic performances are carried out.
Water-splashing activities are carried out in the afternoon, where firstly, the women would clean statues of Buddha with water to obtain blessings; thereafter, individuals splash water on each other to symbolise not only good fortune, but also the "cleansing of illnesses and disasters".
Furthermore, men and women take part in activities such as the exchange of small gifts and "losing of items", which are believed to bring good luck.