The River Lantern Festival is a folk activity of the people in Erlang Township, Xishui County. Erlang Township is located in the lower reaches of the Tongzi River in the south of Xishui. It is known as the "Southern Gate of Xishui". It covers an area of 71.5 square kilometers and is 42 kilometers away from the county seat. The Erlang Township Government is located in Erlangba, which is surrounded by mountains on four sides and water on three sides. The Niudu River rushes from the east, passes through the Ganxigou Gorge, turns sharply here, and goes west. Erlang has a mild climate, rich specialties, and distinct four seasons. There is no severe cold in winter and no scorching heat in summer. It is known as the Little Green City of Xishui. The Erlang River Lantern Festival is a folk activity with a history of more than 100 years. Although there is no historical record, according to the elderly people in their 80s, they heard many stories about offering sacrifices to river gods and floating river lanterns from their predecessors when they were children. At the same time, because there is a saying in the Erlang River area that "Miao thirteen, Han fourteen, Luoluo (common name of the Yi people) fifteen", it can be seen that the people of Erlang have always celebrated the Lantern Festival in advance on the fourteenth day of the first lunar month. The Lantern Festival of Erlang people is different from that of other places. On the 14th day of the first lunar month, after people have finished their New Year dinner, adults lead children to the riverside to hold a river god worship activity. Every household uses a basket to carry knife heads (cooked pork about four inches long), fine wine, money paper, incense, candles, and firecrackers, and displays them on the riverside. After the elders light the candles and incense, they recite the blessing words for the blessing of the river god, scatter the burning money paper into the river, and then fill the wine glass and pour it into the river three times, praying that the river god will continue to show grace and nurture, and bless the whole family with prosperity, good harvest, and safe travel all year round. While the elders are burning paper, chanting incantations, and offering wine, the children light up the pre-made river lanterns respectively. After the elders' rituals are over, they immediately put the lanterns into the water to let the river lanterns drift along the water, and light the cannons at the same time. In order to place the lantern in the middle of the river, some people roll up their pants and step into the shallow water to release the lantern, while others use a long flat board to hold the lantern and stretch it into the water to exile it. The lantern floats in the water and drifts downstream. The lanterns in the water and the street lights on the river bank complement each other, creating a lively and spectacular scene. The farther the lantern floats, the brighter the light is, indicating a blessing. There are two lantern festivals in Erlang Township each year. In addition to the lantern festival on the 14th day of the first lunar month, there is also the Mid-July Festival. There is another festival in the year, that is, although it is the Mid-July Festival, the festival is held on the 13th day of the seventh lunar month. Legend has it that "ghosts run wild on the 15th day of the seventh month", so every July 13th, people have to ask for the protection of their ancestors and gods in two different ways. One is to burn paper in front of their own incense hall to pay tribute to their ancestors, praying that their ancestors will bless their family to be blessed and free from disasters, and that their livestock will prosper. At the same time, they also burn a little money and paper outside the gate to repay those homeless ghosts and leave this place. The second is to burn paper and float lanterns by the river, praying that the river god will capture and suppress the ghosts and no longer disturb the peaceful life of the people. They also pray that the river will not flood again, bless this year's bumper harvest, and let people live a beautiful and happy life. The Erlang Township River Lantern Festival mainly worships the river god, reflecting the characteristics of the people's diverse religious beliefs. More than a hundred years ago, French missionaries built a Catholic church in the area to preach. And. However, as a local belief and custom, the River Lantern Festival is still passed on. In recent years, due to factors such as safety and going out to work, the number of people who set river lanterns to worship the river god has greatly decreased.