贵州苗族举办晚会迎接元宵

 Every year before Lantern festival during the first lunar month, Miao villages in Guizhou Province dance to romance at the "Dancing Under the Moon" party. It's a precious opportunity for young people to maybe find their soulmates.

贵州苗族举办晚会迎接元宵

It's a big day for Li Xiu, who lives in a typical ethnic Miao village in southwest China's Guizhou Province. With her mother's help, Li gets all dressed up in shimmering silver ornaments, ready to join the annual mass courting ritual.

"It's for the special occasion, to find my Mr. Right," Li said. After some finishing touches, Li joins the other young girls from her village and heads to the grand carnival.

Young girls in Longli Miao village in Guizhou get dressed up to meet romantic prospects. (gmw.cn)

Despite the freezing temperature, both boys and girls are eager to put their best foot forward. however for Li, no one has caught her eye so far. "I'm still looking for someone honest and reliable," she said.

Each dancing team is led by a group of young men who blow a reed-pipe instrument called Lusheng. And if a boy likes a girl, he will walk straight up to her and play his instrument for her.

"It helps to create a good impression, to show the charming and caring side. Because the girls and their whole family are present, so when we're old enough to pop the question, we might have a better shot," said one of the guys.

Dancing under the Moon started with a Miao legend. In it, the Moon is a simple and honest man who finally marries a beautiful woman against all odds. This dance celebrating that legend is held every year around Lantern Festival, when the moon is at its fullest and brightest.