Two-century-old folk custom recreated on real-life stage

Generally speaking, the Lantern Festival on January 15 (on the lunar calendar) means the end of the Spring Festival. In Yangshudixia Village, Liulimiao Town, Huairou County, however, January 16 (on the lunar calendar) is the busiest day. Early in the morning, a two century-long folk custom called Lianqiaofan (it means “all villagers share food from themselves”) begins. Local villagers perform the two-century-old folk custom, which has become a national-level intangible cultural heritage, for the purpose of teaching visitors about the origin and characteristics of the custom.

Two-century-old folk custom recreated on real-life stage

Using narrative methods adopted from situational comedies, and musical dance, villagers vividly describe the origin and development of Lianqiaofan, a unique cultural custom. Hosted by a venerable villager, more than 40 women and girls from the village participated in the performance. It is the first time that an intangible cultural heritage has been performed in Beijing.

The 30-minute performance was divided into 3 parts. The first part involved collecting foodstuffs. Upon hearing an order from the host, 30 girls with bamboo baskets in their hands began to dance, telling visitors about how they collect foodstuffs door to door. The second part involved cooking a meal. In an open area of the village, men began to chop firewood while women began to cook, showing the harmonious and happy atmosphere in the village. The third part was feeding the sparrows and the sharing of food among villagers. All of the performers gathered around the host who was mumbling some propitious words while feeding the sparrows, expressing gratitude to nature. The performance vividly explained the folk custom.

"Lianqiaofan" is an ancient folk custom passed down from Yangshudixia Village, Liuli Temple County, Huairou District. Since the village was established during Jiaqing's and Daoguang's reign of the Qing Dynasty, the folk custom dates back to about 200 years.

According to the customs of the "Lianqiaofan," on the 16th day of the first lunar month, children of every family in the village will pay a New Year's visit to the elderly house by house, and collect millet, sweet corn, meat, frozen bean curd, dried radishes and other food that is left over from the Spring Festival from their uncles and aunts. Then, the women in the village will cook rice and dishes with this collected food for the entire village. Needles and thread, copper coins and other items will be put into the pot, and people who are lucky enough to get the items in with their food will be prosperous.

The locals use "Qiao" as another name for a sparrow, a titmouse and other birds. Before the villagers eat the "Lianqiaofan," they will feed Qiao first to thank Qiao for bringing seeds and to express the wish that they have a good harvest next year. After the meal, villagers will walk on the ice, because there is an old saying going that walking on the ice will help you get rid of illnesses.

In 2008, the folk custom was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage.