A grand Yingge dance show was staged at the Fengshan Ancestral Temple Tourist Area in Shanwei, south China's Guangdong Province on February 21, the fifth day of the Chinese New Year.
The Hongzheng Yingge troupe from Shanwei, the Ximen Yingge troupe from Chaoyang District in Shantou, and the Jiazi Yingge troupe from Lufeng in Shanwei performed together, drawing large crowds and filling the area with festive vibes.
Performers portraying heroes from the classic Chinese novel Water Margin, such as Li Kui, Lu Zhishen and Wu Song, greeted the crowd before setting off on a three-kilometer parade route. The troupe members come from diverse backgrounds, including working professionals and students, with some performers as young as seven or eight. Spectators packed the streets, raising phones and cameras, while children perched on their parents' shoulders or waved water bottles in rhythm with the pounding drums.
The event also featured a Yingge cultural exhibition and a face-painting experience area, where visitors admired colorful masks, wooden sticks and traditional costumes.
Yingge, a traditional folk dance popular in Guangdong's Chaoshan region, blends elements of opera, dance and martial arts. It was included in China's first batch of national intangible cultural heritage items in 2006. Often staged during major festivals to pray for good fortune and ward off evil, Yingge remains a vibrant cultural emblem in Shanwei.
Author | Huang Xinying
Photo & Video | Nanfang Plus
