In the southwest border area of ??Yunnan, deep in the dense forests surrounded by mountains, live the simple and fierce Cangyuan Wa people.

At the annual carnival, the highlight of the year is to stage mutual "darkness".

For tourists, it is very rare to participate in the Cangyuan Sigangli Carnival.

The annual Sigangli Carnival of the Wa ethnic group in Cangyuan, Yunnan is very lively.

The Wa people regard black as their beauty and believe that black is a symbol of hard work and health. "Touching your black" is the highlight of the Sigangli Carnival.

Being in a gathering of tens of thousands of people, the costumed Wa men and women and the jubilant atmosphere impacted all the senses. Before they could react, they had already walked into the "Forgetting Valley".

After the brief opening ceremony, with the shouts of "Touch you black! Touch you black! Touch you black!", "Touch you black" began! Wa boys and girls with light bronze skin were singing and dancing in a circle. The boys waved their strong arms, the girls shook their long black hair, and their simple dance movements were full of wildness.

The 9 "Moba" smeared the "magic medicine" on the foreheads of the 12 "goddesses", and the "goddesses" "dark" the people around them. The music gradually became more and more exciting, people laughed and shouted, and tourists joined in one after another, smearing each other with the "touch materials" they were given.

Everyone, male or female, young or old, has their forehead, nose, face and arms covered with a layer of black mud.

I was a little nervous at first but gradually relaxed and played like a child like everyone else. There is a local proverb: "Only when we have the same steps can we dance together, and only when our teeth are black can we laugh together."

Humans are originally children of nature. Surrounded by Mother Nature, we are all children, and we should be Live by your true nature like a child.

I learned that day that "touching you black" originated from the Wa folk custom of smearing pot ash, cow blood, mud, etc. on the face to ward off evil spirits and pray for peace. It is said that this inspiration came from The buffalo wallows in the muddy water and covers its body with mud to protect itself from the sun's radiation and mosquito bites.

" Touch your black" is the pronunciation of Wa language, which means "That's it, that's it - this is what we want, this is what we are waiting for, stick to it, stick to it forever !Persevere until forever!"

As long as you join the "Touch Your Black" carnival, you will receive the sacred blessings of the Wa people.

“Touch a girl’s face, hoping that the girl will become more beautiful; touch it to an old man’s face, wishing the old man longevity and health; touch a child’s face, and wish the child peace and good fortune; touch a friend’s face , looking forward to a long-lasting friendship; touching your face in black means eternal joy and happiness; the more you touch, the more happiness you have."

The formula of "Touch You Black" paint is said to be very mysterious, and generally. It will not be known to "outsiders".

A photography enthusiast who has been to Cangyuan many times secretly told me that the paint is mainly made of Washan rice flour, with the addition of local magical soil and natural plant immortal grass "Niangbulo".

In order to obtain eternity in life, the Awa people have been looking for this magical immortal grass.

After finding one or several medicinal herbs, grind them into powder and mix them into medicinal paste. On specific days, they smear the medicinal paste on each other's bodies to express blessings, hoping that those who are smeared with the medicinal paste will be blessed. No disease, good health and longevity.