Expat residents take part in the Kaiding Festival celebration at Yu'er Village in Nanshan District today. Photos by Lin Songtao
The bustling pathways of Yu'er Village erupted with joy in the afternoon as the community gathered for the time-honored Kaiding Festival, a century-old event aimed at blessing residents with prosperity and many children.
This year's celebrations marked the 25th consecutive year that Yu'er villagers in Shekou have honored the cultural heritage brought over by fishing villagers from Shanwei City in Guangdong during the Yuan (1279-1368) and Ming (1368-1644) dynasties. The village welcomed 15 newborns last year, all of whom joined their parents in seeking blessings at this year's festivities.
Some families with newborns greet visitors at the Kaiding Festival celebration in Yu'er Village this afternoon.
Held annually on the 13th day of the first lunar month, the Kaiding Festival revolves around the preparation and sharing of a special snack known as Kaiding Cha, or Chacai. Lanterns were hung outside the homes across the village, adding a festive charm to the already vibrant atmosphere.
Each household prepares an ample supply, typically enough to serve 200 to 300 people, to offer to relatives, friends, and even strangers who visit their homes. Villagers believe that the more guests a household welcomes, the greater the blessings for the family. As a testament to this tradition, guests knocking on doors are met with a generous serving of Chacai.
"I have four bowls today," said Helena Keric, referring to the Chacai she was offered when visiting the local families in the village. Experiencing the Kaiding Festival for the first time, she said she was particularly touched by the energy and warmth displayed by the villagers. "The hospitality was heartwarming, and the babies are so cute. I was greeted with Kaiding Cha the moment I stepped into their homes."
A family welcomes expat visitors during the Kaiding Festival in Yu'er Village this afternoon.
Also attending the festival, South African teacher Karina Ramparsad was totally captivated by the "skillful" lion dance performances held in the village's public square. "Their agility on the various-height platforms held the audience spellbound," she said.
Ramparsad greeted passers-by from time to time during the celebration. "I live in the neighborhood, and these people are like old friends to me"
Performers stage vibrant displays to celebrate the Kaiding Festival at today's celebration.
The festival has grown in vibrancy over the years. "Each year my family received 200 to 300 visitors during the Kaiding Festival in recent years," said a female hostess of the Tian family in the village. She said the visits usually started at 2 p.m. and continued through late afternoon. "The more people, the merrier."
The celebration has deep roots in the community, recognized as an intangible cultural heritage by the city government since 2005. Traditional activities include ancestral worship and a grand Kaiding feast, enhanced by the rhythmic beats of gongs and drums, as well as lively lion dances and performances that draw in visitors from near and far.
Historically, the Kaiding Festival was celebrated primarily for boys on their first birthday, with families performing rituals that included burning incense and inviting clan elders for a feast. Today, the celebration embraces all children, inviting families and friends to gather, share Kaiding Cha, and wish each other happiness and good fortune.
Yang Yan, director of the Shekou Management and Service Center for Expats, which invited several expats for the festival today, said such cultural events helped expat residents better integrate into local communities.
Expat residents celebrate with Chacai during the festival this afternoon.
