“Pai Le Meng” of Ximeng Wa Autonomous County

Wa people with fancy dresses at the “Pai Le Meng” carnival in Ximeng Wa Autonomous County, in Pu’er City during the National Day holiday in 2017.

“Pai Le Meng” means disguise in Wa language. On each festival or holiday, Wa people paint bright colors on their faces, hands, back and more to form their favorite patterns. In addition, they string together vines, melons, fruits, leaves, flowers, grasses, animal teeth, animal bones and more to dress them up.

According to legend, Wa people disguised themselves to get close to and catch prey. As time passes, Wa people have formed the art of disguise.