Snake Dance: 650-year-old cultural heritage
- By Lin Liyao
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E-mail China.org.cn, June 9, 2016
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Shao Chuanfu makes the python-like lantern at a local temple. [File photo] |
Shao Chuanfu, 71, is currently the inheritor of the traditional dance. When he was 18 years old, Shao learned how to make a python-like lantern and how to dance with it from his father.
Shao said that to make such a long lantern requires both professional skill and patience. The bamboo used as the skeleton of the python should neither be too hard or too soft, and the entire production process consists of dozens of procedures. If 50 people make the lantern at the same time, it will take 10 days to complete the production.
In 2002, residents of Dashao Village established a temple, in which they stored the long lantern when there were no performances. In order to keep it clean, the long lantern is washed at regular intervals.
After the performance was included in China's intangible cultural heritage list, Feidong's Snake Dance became increasingly popular.
"Recently, the dance is not only performed every 18 years, it can also be seen in a range of festive celebrations," said Shao, "During the Spring Festival in 2013, we were invited to perform at the CCTV Villagers' Spring Festival Gala. More than 100 villagers took part in the dance."
Shao said, "As a national level intangible cultural heritage tradition, the most important thing is to inherit the traditional skill. This year, I introduced four new apprentices on our team, and began to teach them how to make the lantern and dance with it."
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