On March 3, the Lantern Festival, a folk cultural parade was held in Nanxing Community, Nantang Town, Lufeng City, Shanwei, Guangdong Province, drawing nearly 400 performers and tens of thousands of spectators.
The procession set off from Nanxing Community Square at 6 p.m. and featured eight formations, including lion dance, dragon dance, and Yingge dance. The six-hour event covered a 2.5-kilometer route with four performance stops, bringing traditional folk arts to life along the town's main street.
Yingge dance was the highlight of the evening. Seventy-two performers dressed as warriors and wielding short batons reenacted characters from the classic novel Outlaws of the Marsh. Dating back to the late Ming and early Qing dynasties (c. 1600–1650), Nanxing's Yingge dance blends martial arts, Nuo ritual elements (ancient ceremonial practices to ward off evil spirits) and stories from the Outlaws of the Marsh. In recent years, local troupes have refined choreography and staging while preserving its traditional essence.
Organized entirely by the community, the event was funded through donations from residents and local entrepreneurs. The parade also reflected the town's ongoing transformation. Along the route, 230 buildings and 99 rural homes had undergone facade renovations, with lanterns and decorative lighting enhancing the festive atmosphere.
Author | He Fengyu
Photo | Nanfang Plus
