In the misty mountains of Guizhou Province, the Tujia people are turning back the clock – 400 years, to be exact! 🌄 The ethnic group in Yinjiang is reviving their ancestral Spring Festival tradition called 'gan nian' (literally 'chasing the new year'), blending folklore, fashion, and feasts into a vibrant cultural spectacle.
💃 Imagine this: elders donning handwoven indigo garments adorned with intricate embroidery, while younger participants recreate ancient harvest dances. The air fills with the aroma of 'da zha guo' – a massive communal hotpot featuring locally grown mushrooms and cured meats. 🍲
\"It's like our cultural version of Coachella meets Thanksgiving,\" joked Long Mei, a 24-year-old Tujia language teacher coordinating the celebrations. \"We’re showing Gen Z how our ancestors partied – no Spotify playlists needed, just drums and bamboo flutes!\" 🎶
This year's event includes TikTok-friendly elements like traditional face-painting workshops and a midnight fire ceremony 🔥 believed to ward off evil spirits – perfect for those #MysticChina travel goals. Local officials report a 60% increase in domestic tourists joining the festivities compared to last year.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com