..... Traditions that keep fit .....
The Longest Dragon Under The Sky
Almost 1000m of length and more than 1000 carriers: the Great Dragon of Gutian town is one of the spectacular events of the Hakka Culture Festival in
Liancheng county, in the western part of Fujian province.
It started in 1751 (Qing dynasty), as a ritual for good weather and a rich harvest on the day of the Yuan Xiao Festival (Lantern Festival).
No 2.210
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No 12.68
click pix for previewGutian's two main clans are the Hua and the Jiang. They organize the event in turn.
This year the Hua have set a new record. 236 segments, each more than 4m long, were assembled together. The dragon's total length reached 940m, the longest ever.
No 2.222
No 12.72
The dragon is a complex Chinese symbol, often standing for water in its different forms: rain, springs and streams. This explains the essential role it
holds in many ceremonies on the countryside.
Some decades ago, it was decided that the dragon's tail would keep a certain distance from the rest of the body: a too perfect creation would provoke angry reactions from Heaven.
No 2.215
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No 2.216
click pix for previewUntil 2002, women were never allowed to carry the dragon. It was assumed that they would be to blame in case of bad weather on the day of the ceremony.
Up to 20 men are involved in carrying the dragon's head and in pulling the ropes to maintain the right direction. The pearl stands for thunder.
No 2.212
No 2.230
Wu Lansen leads the orchestra. He plays a total of nine instruments, a one-man-band called 'nine-colour gong and drum'-orchestra.
With the square paper lanterns held by children - the 'dragon's pearls' on the lead picture - the music is part of the procession preceding the dragon.
No 2.224
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No 2.226
click pix for previewExtremely powerful firecrackers are fused to announce the arrival of the dragon, in order to scare away evil spirits.
Participating men must hold on until the night. They relay each other during the twelve hours of the procession.
No 12.73
No 12.75
Night has fallen as the tail reaches the village. Meanwhile, the dragons' head moves to Gutian's main square.
The villagers have prepared fires of pinewood to welcome the dragon after its travel through the fields. Candles and joss sticks burn everywhere in the village. The ceremony should bestow good harvest and wealth to Gutian.