The palm fan dance is an ancient ritual dance for Hani people living in Yangjie and Nanuo villages in Yuanjiang County, southwest China's Yunnan Province. In the past, people danced to mourn the dead. Now, the palm fan dance is seen in more festive occasions. Every motion in the dance either imitates animals or labor activities. Dancers use palm fronds to mimic the wings of a silver pheasant, a sacred bird that is said to save the ancestors of Hani people in legends. The palm fan dance shows Han