September 25 marked the traditional Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival. In Dajiang Village, Zhangcha, Foshan, a grand fire dragon dance was held to showcase this intangible cultural heritage.
Three dragon dance teams took turns parading and performing. The fire dragons wound through the village's streets and lanes. Thousands of villagers and tourists stopped along the route to watch.
Lit incense sticks dot the dragon's body.
Lit incense sticks dotted the dragon's body. Firecrackers crackled as drums and gongs sounded. Hundreds of men worked together to maneuver the over-50-meter-long fire dragon. The huge dragon body twisted and turned, circling and weaving.
As the fire dragons moved through the old village alleys, cheers erupted wherever they passed, creating a lively festive atmosphere.
The fire dragons wind through the village's streets and lanes.
The fire dragon dance in Dajiang Village carries deep cultural significance. It embodies villagers' cherished wishes: to pray for blessings, ward off diseases, hope for bumper harvests, strengthen clan unity and foster harmonious neighborhood ties.
The event preserves the full set of traditional rituals. It shows the clan culture of an ancient water town in the Pearl River Delta and the rich Lingnan-style Mid-Autumn folk traditions of Guangdong. This unique folk custom was listed as a representative intangible cultural heritage item of Chancheng District in 2023.
Beneath the full moon, blazing fire dragons glow as the tradition is passed down through generations, preserving a sense of home and giving this age-old intangible cultural heritage new vitality.
Reporter | Lu Haoneng
Photos | Dai Jiaxin
Video | Dai Jiaxin, Yang Fuyao
