People of the Miao ethnic group in Taijiang county, Southwest China's Guizhou province, are busy making paper dragons as Spring Festival (Feb 16) approaches.
Performing a fire dragon dance is one of the traditions for local Miao people in Taijiang county to celebrate the most important occasions such as Chinese New Year and Lantern Festival.
Artisans make paper dragons and paint them different colors. The dragon dancing is often performed by nearly 20 young men.
People who watch the performance prepare a bamboo tube which contains gunpowder and glass particles. As the dragon rushes into the crowd, people open fire with the tubes and shoot the flying dragon with fireworks.
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People set fireworks as the dragon rushes into the crowd, making a splendid and exciting festival scene. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] |
People believe that the more fireworks are shot against the dragon, the more good fortune they will get in the new year. The performers wave the dragon despite the fireworks, so the occasion is called a "festival for the brave".
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Folk artisans make a colorful paper dragon in Wenquan village, Taijiang county, Southwest China's Guizhou province, on Jan 17 to greet the coming festivals. [Photo by Liu Kaifu/gz.xinhuanet.com] |
