Daimachi

Daimachi [殆萦; だいまち] is a traditional Kantonese festival and national holiday held in mid-July every year. It only lasts for two days, making it unusual as a traditional celebration, but is often much anticipated. On the day of Daimachi, role reversal in appearance and dress is practised, typically involving cross-dressing or the donning of disguises. People are also encouraged to do things that they wouldn't ordinarily do, such as trying new foods or hobbies, and befriending or talking to strangers.
== History ==
Daimachi was first recorded as a festival held in Kaimon in 1711, and seemingly began as a type of summer festival. In olden times, Daimachi was considered far more significant and many more customs were practiced. Mainly it symbolised the cheer and carefree attitude that naturally accompanied the warm weather and bounty of summer. However it also had spiritual connotations; it was thought that dressing up in costumes and switching roles would confuse and distract evil spirits who might otherwise wish to steal the souls of humans. 
There were a variety of activities carried out for Daimachi, many of which are no longer around. According to a record from 1737:
* Young women (virgins) would dress their hair in a style suited for grandmothers, and vice versa.
* Young boys and adolescent men would don colourful, highly decorated masks and challenge their friends and family members to recognise them in a game called nagaaru. If the other person wasn't successful, they would have to wear the mask themselves.
* Women and men would wear each other's robes, typically wife and husband swapping wardrobe.
* A game called omae-bangi was practiced by children, which involved speaking backwards or in deliberate gibberish until somebody could guess what they meant.
Many things which were normally considered taboo or risqué were considered acceptable on the day of Daimachi. For example, indulgence in alcohol, solicitation of prostitutes, and swearing, typically frowned upon heavily, had very little moral or social consequence during the festival. A popular phrase from the 1800s, daimachi no ge shiki, literally translates to 'forget what happened during Daimachi' - or in other words, nobody should be judged for what they did when they were caught up in the heat of the moment.
Travelling entertainers, especially female ones, who were normally looked down up during the rest of the year for their vagrancy and alleged low morals, were welcomed during Daimachi to perform bawdy songs, plays or poems for the amusement of a village or neighbourhood. In fact, these entertainers were thought lucky to be around on Daimachi, as they brought the evil spirits away with them when they left the area.