Xiangzhou District, Zhuhai

The town of Nanping in Xiangzhou District put on a grand show of traditional Chinese folk arts such as dancing, singing, dough sculpting, sugar painting and paper-cutting on Jan 15.

The Hongdong community made up the bulk of the attendees who were also able to witness some amazing singing and dancing performances.

A local troupe even brought back the venerable and charming Shatian Folk Songs for the modern audience. The Shatian Folk Songs go back to around 170 years but had been recomposed to be more modern and invigorating to fit the guests. Meanwhile the dancers performed in the unique Lingnan style, and as always drew much applause from the local audience.

A big highlight of the event were the booths set up near the stage which showcased the ancient Chinese folk arts of straw weaving and making stocking flowers. A great deal of attention was also given to the variously shaped dough figurines – a Chinese traditional art form commonly known as sticky rice flour toys. It is a popular artform that utilizes cooking flour.

An inheritor and performer of these intangible cultural arts hopes that he can pass on his dough figurine skills to younger generations, and furthermore added that he hoped more children could learn and be proud of the traditional Chinese art of dough sculpting.

Shatian Folk Songs, cultivated in both Nanping Town and Doumen District of Zhuhai, have a history of more than 170 years. [Photo courtesy cityofzhuhai.com]