Dong Sama Festival

Background

Sama means "grandmother" in the Dong language. Legend has it that in the matriarchal clan era a Dong woman leader led her people against invaders, was surrounded by enemy soldiers in one battle, and died. Later generations honoured her as Sama, who protects the villages and brings peace and good fortune, and the Sama ritual is said to have come from this. The Sama Festival is celebrated in Dong areas such as Rongjiang, Liping, and Congjiang, and is largest at Sanbao Dong Village in Chejiang Township, Rongjiang County. The ritual is held at each village's Ransafang, the Sama altar, which has no statue: a half-open black umbrella with a pile of stones beneath it symbolises Sama's protection. Participants are mainly married women, joined by some respected men, and an elderly woman presides. Everyone drinks tea offered to Sama and tucks a sprig of evergreen into their hair bun, then follows the old woman carrying the umbrella around the village and gathers at a set site to sing and dance, praying for the village's wellbeing. During the festival you can also hear Dong grand songs, watch lusheng dances, and visit the Sanbao Drum Tower and the ancient banyan grove of Chejiang.

Local customs

• Watch the Sama ritual and the procession around the village
• listen to Dong grand songs
• watch lusheng dances
• visit the Sanbao Drum Tower and the ancient banyan grove

Travel tips

• The Sama Festival is mostly held during the first and second lunar months, with each village setting its own date
• the 2027 dates are subject to local announcement. Sanbao Dong Village is about 5 kilometres from Rongjiang's county town and can be reached by bus or taxi. Ritual dates are not announced centrally, so check locally before you go. Ticket prices are subject to official announcement.

2027 schedule

• The first day of the 2027 lunar new year is February 6
• the Sama Festival is held on dates chosen by each village during the first and second lunar months (about February 6 to April 6), pending local announcement.