Embroidered balls throwing. [Photo/Xinhua]

During Sanyuesan Festival, the youth will invite each other to the fields or riverside. They will then divide themselves into male and female groups. The girls first ask some general information about the boys through singing call and response songs. Then the boys sing back with answers. After several back and forths, the girls begin to throw their balls to the boys whom they set their minds on. The boys are supposed to have a quick reaction and catch the balls. If they have also a crush on the girls, they tie their gifts, such as silver ornaments or coins, to the balls and throw the ball back. The girl accepts the gift as a “yes” to the boy’s pursuit and they may have a date after the event.