Top Ten Folk Cultures in Shanxi

The top ten folk cultures in Shanxi include lanterns, fireworks, stilts, cart dance, chair dance, lion dance, Zhonghuang high platform, hanging flower drum, Yellow River Lantern Festival, and Taiyuan Shehuo.

1. Lanterns.

Making lanterns is a traditional festival custom during the Lantern Festival, which began in the Western Han Dynasty and flourished in the Sui and Tang Dynasties. After the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the style of lighting became popular in all dynasties and was passed down to later generations.

2. Stilts.

Stilts are usually performed in the form of a dance team with varying numbers of people. Dancers usually play characters from ancient myths or historical stories. Their costumes often imitate opera costumes. Commonly used props include fans, handkerchiefs, etc. , there are two forms: "walking on the street" and "leaving the field", dancing and singing at the same time. Stilts can also be divided into "literary stilts" and "wu stilts". Wen stilts focus on twisting and plot performance, while martial arts stilts focus on showing off skills and kung fu.

3. Lion dance.

Lion dance is usually performed by two people. The former holds a lion head prop with both hands and wears it on his head to play the lion's head. The latter leans down and holds the former's waist with both hands. The body is decorated with linen, cloth and other materials. Lion skin, acting as lion body. The two formed a big lion, called "Tai Shi". There is also a person wearing a lion head mask and fake lion skin, playing the role of a little lion, called "Young Lion".

4. Hang the flower drum upside down.

The upside-down flower drum is a unique form of local folk art activity spread in rural areas of Jishan County, Shanxi Province. It is a unique folk art performance in China and originated in the Southern Song Dynasty.

5. Taiyuan Society Fire.

Taiyuan Shehuo is a traditional folk cultural activity with a long history in Shanxi Province. Shehuo is actually what Taiyuan people commonly call Honghuo. Taiyuan's prosperity is large in scale, diverse in form, wide in content, with a strong living atmosphere and unique local characteristics.