The Yi recognize two chief spirits. The festival for Ie-su is the Torch Festival which is the largest festival of the Yi. Legend says the Torch Festival is held as a sacrificial payment to heaven for taking the life of its rent collector-the identity of the rent collector, however, is unknown. The Yi believe that a person has three souls. At death, there are dances, songs and mourning.
Rice is placed in the mouth of the deceased.
Ancestor worship is practiced but stops at the great-grandfather. Those who practice cremation do so three days after death. Memorial services may be accompanied by horse racing and bridge building among the wealthy.