Donglan promotes Maguai culture

Hechi, a city in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, is blessed with Zhuang traditions.

Maguai Festival, one of the most important Zhuang traditions, has been held since ancient times to pray for peace, harmony, and a good harvest for the upcoming year.

A jubilant child holds aloft a frog as crowds of Zhuang ethnic people cheer below. A Maguai Festival, which worships frogs, was held in Baying village, Hechi, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, on Feb 27. [Photo by Lu Boan/news.cn]

Maguai is the local word for frogs, which are regarded as the incarnations of gods, representing prosperity and wealth to the Zhuang people. The festival involves special activities to worship frogs such as frog dancing accompanied by drumming and gong performance.

Blowing through an ox horn sounds out a call to celebrate at Maguai Festival. [Photo by Lu Boan/news.cn]

As home to a large number of Zhuang people, Donglan county in Hechi has made great efforts to preserve and promote Zhuang traditions, making sure the Maguai Festival is held each year.

The festival was included as one of China's national intangible cultural heritages in 2005.

A dance centers on an effigy of a frog which is considered the incarnations of gods at Maguai Festival. [Photo by Lu Boan/news.cn]

Local Zhuang people perform frog dancing in masks. [Photo by Lu Boan/news.cn]