Ma’an village in Guizhou’s Congjiang county celebrated the Fish Catching Festival on Aug 8. Hundreds of villagers gathered at rivers to enjoy the event.

The festival can be dated back 450 years to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It is a folk activity popular among the Miao ethnic group living in Guizhou and Guangxi provinces.

A kind of toxic herb called duling is thrown into the river after being reduced by pounding to make the fish dizzy. Then people jump into the river to catch the fish – the symbol of good fortune. The catchers try their best to grab good fortune for the coming year.

There are also song and dance performances after the fish catching. Fighting games using horses and cocks are often put on.

Ma'an village usually holds the festival on July 4 of the lunar calendar. The festival was once suspended for 30 years but restarted in 2014.

People pound toxic herb used to make the fish dizzy at the Fish Catching Festival held at Ma’an village on Aug 6. [Photo/xinhuanet.com]