New Year's Memory
Guangxi Binyang Cannon Dragon Festival is an intangible cultural heritage of China and a traditional festival in Binyang County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. It originated in the Ming Dynasty and has a history of hundreds of years. There are many different theories about its origin, one of the more common ones is:
A long time ago, the Binyang area suffered from a severe drought, crops were not harvested, and the people lived in hardship. One day, a fire dragon suddenly appeared in the sky, and it spat flames from its mouth, burning the sky red. The local people believed that this was a god sent by the heavens to save them, so they prayed to the fire dragon for rain. They also spontaneously threw firecrackers into the sky in an attempt to lure the gods down with the sound of firecrackers. It is said that the fire dragon was moved by the sound of firecrackers, and it rained down from the sky, moistening the arid land. Since then, the eleventh day of the first lunar month is the Binyang Cannon Dragon Festival, and people will commemorate this day by setting off firecrackers and dragon dances.
Over time, the Cannon Dragon Festival has gradually developed into a unique cultural phenomenon. Every year, during the festival, Binyang County holds a grand celebration, attracting thousands of tourists to watch. At the festival site, people can see various forms of dragon dance performances, such as colorful dragons, fire dragons, grass dragons, etc. In addition, there are also colorful folk art performances, such as mountain songs, color tunes, lion dances, etc. On the night of the Cannon Dragon Festival, the entire county will be lit up with colorful fireworks, and people will compete to set off firecrackers to celebrate this grand festival.
In addition to the celebrations, the Cannon Dragon Festival also carries the cultural beliefs and historical memories of the local people. In many villages in Binyang County, legends and stories about the Cannon Dragon Festival are circulated. These stories not only reflect the local people's reverence for nature and belief in the gods, but also reflect their yearning and pursuit of a better life. During the Cannon Dragon Festival, the local people will spontaneously organize various sacrificial activities to pray for good weather and good harvests, and the country and the people. These sacrificial activities are not only a traditional cultural phenomenon, but also a manifestation of the unity and cohesion of the local people.
In addition to Binyang County, there are similar Cannon Dragon Festival activities in other parts of Guangxi. Although these activities come in different forms and scales, they all carry the cultural traditions and historical memories of the local people. In these festivals, people can feel the charm and spiritual connotation of traditional culture, and can also appreciate the uniqueness and diversity of local culture.
Overall, the Guangxi Binyang Cannon Dragon Festival is a traditional festival with a deep historical and cultural heritage. It is not only a celebration, but also a carrier of the cultural beliefs and historical memories of the local people. By understanding the origin and inheritance of the Cannon Dragon Festival, we can better recognize and understand the value and significance of this intangible cultural heritage. At the same time, we should also actively participate in the protection and inheritance of this traditional culture, so that this precious cultural heritage can continue and develop.