Ethnic minorities observe many festivals with their own distinctive ethnic features. Religious festivals are established to dispel evil spirits, pray for happiness and offer sacrifices to the gods, ghosts and ancestors; seasonal festivals are set up for agricultural purposes according to the changing seasons; recreational festivals bring a much-needed short break after a long period of hard work; and retrospective and commemorative festivals were put in place to pass down the memory of important people and events that contributed to their survival and development. The many festivals and rich related events demonstrate the cultural backgrounds, production and living customs of ethnic minorities, constituting a unique part of China's ethnic-minority culture.

Wine is closely linked to such festivals. In fact, it would be accurate to say that the festivals could not exist without it. The collective nature of festive activities is that they reach different aspects of people's social lives. To some extent, the custom of wine drinking during a festival displays the cultural characteristics of the ethnic minorities and reveals some of their secrets.

 Dispelling evil spirits and offering sacrifices

Many ethnic-minority festivals are rooted in religious ceremonies and activities offering sacrifices to the ancestors. For instance, the Firebrand Festival of the Yi ethnic minority emerged from the widespread worship of fire among the ancient Yi people; the Water Splashing Festival of the Dai began with the Dai people's admiration for water; and the Festival of Spring Outings, which is unique to the Pumi ethnic minority , has its origins in totem worship. Others, such as the custom of Circumambulating the Mountain Spirit celebrated by the Bai, the Festival of Offering Sacrifices to the Heaven by the Naxi, the Munao Singing Party of the Jingpo ethnic minority , the Gumijie Festival of the Zhuang and "Koumuzha" of the Lahu people all depict the primitive religious status of ethnic minorities in worshipping ancestors and nature.

During the festivities, wine, which is considered a special charm in the minds of the ancients, is believed to ward off devils and pay tribute to gods and ancestors. As an ordinary drink that ancient people first found in nature, the beverage made its way from dining tables to altars , evolving from a form of material culture to a conceptual one. During this process, wine was deified.

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