Three children of the Yi ethnic group light torches to celebrate the Torch Festival on July 20. The festival's origin may have something to do with the worship of fire by ancestors, who believed fire had the power to repel insects, drive away evils and protect crop growth. [Photo/IC]

The Torch Festival is an important and long-standing traditional festival among the Yi ethnic group in Southwest China's Sichuan province.

Celebrated on June 24 of the lunar calendar, the festival includes an evening bonfire party with singing and dancing and other activities, such as horse racing and bull fighting. There are also tug-of-war, archery and wrestling competitions.

In every village, large torches tied up with dried pine and kindling are erected in all villages and small torches are placed in front of the door of each household.