(Going to the Grassroots in the Spring Festival) Zhejiang Sanmen Yangjia Banlong： A Centennial Inheritance to Welcome the Lantern Festival
Zhongxin. com Taizhou, February 17th (Fu Feiyang, Han Yalu) Chopping bamboo sticks, tying keels, and sticky paper … The Spring Festival holiday is drawing to a close. In the ancestral hall of Yang Jiacun, Tingpang Town, Sanmen County, Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, dozens of villagers are busy making banlong, and each link is divided in an orderly way to prepare for the Lantern Festival performance in advance.
The villagers made "bibcock". Photo courtesy of Chen Neng
"Every year during the Lantern Festival, we have to perform dragon-board performances in Yang Jiacun. This banlong has been used for more than 60 years, and the bamboo inside is damaged to some extent. This year, we have transformed the faucet, which will be completed on the thirteenth day of the first month (February 22nd), and we can welcome the dragon at that time. " Yang Xiangfen, a villager in Yang Jiacun, said when interviewed.
The villagers made a "dragon body". Photo courtesy of Chen Neng
Banlong, also known as "stool banlong" and "dragon blocking", is a wooden dragon lantern. Since ancient times, the local people have advocated "farming and reading", and they have always worshipped the "dragon" as a totem. As a result, the Yangjia Banlong was born, and the Lantern Festival has been passed down from generation to generation, with a history of more than 400 years. In 2007, Yangjia Banlong was included in Zhejiang provincial intangible cultural heritage.
Yang Wenxing, 61, is a well-known local veteran artist with more than 30 years of experience in making banlong. He said that Banlong pays attention to the dragon shape and emphasizes the essence of the dragon-the faucet is the key, and tying the faucet is the most test of the skill level. He has been busy making this year’s Banlong for half a month.
"When I was a child, I saw adults carrying board dragons and children carrying lanterns. The village was filled with a warm atmosphere. Since then, I have planted the seeds of Banlong and traditional culture in my heart. " Yang Wenxing said that this year happens to be year of the loong, which is of great significance and everyone attaches great importance to it.
The data map shows the finished Yangjia Banlong. Photo courtesy of Propaganda Department of Sanmen County Committee
In addition to some elders in Yang Jiacun, there are also many young faces at the Banlong production site. Some of them have studied with the master, and some have been able to complete a production step independently. In this year’s Yangjia Banlong team, young people aged between 20 and 30 also account for more than half.
"We grew up in Yang Jiacun. Although we worked outside, we still have a special feeling for Banlong, so this time we came back to learn the production process of Banlong from the master. We also hope to pass on the Yangjia Banlong." Yang Zhao, a villager in Yang Jiacun, said that at present, people are stepping up the production of banlong, hoping to bring a visual feast to citizens and tourists. (End)
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