From: Yantian Government Online | Updated:2024-11-01
The 13th Yantian Tanka Intangible Cultural Heritage Festival kicked off with vibrant celebrations at the Yantian Fishermen’s Village. This year’s theme, “Mountains and Sea of Yantian: The Spirit of Intangible Heritage,” highlights activities that celebrate the Tanka spirit, cultural preservation and inheritance, traditional Tanka water wedding customs, and culinary traditions, offering an immersive showcase of Tanka intangible cultural heritage.
To the sounds of lively, cheerful melodies, performers dressed in traditional attire sang and danced, reenacting the Tanka spirit of “diligence, kindness, beauty, frugality, and loyalty” through a symbolic “boat rowing” performance.
Traditionally, Tanka people lived on boats and relied on fishing, with their weddings held on the water, creating a unique “Tanka wedding tradition.” Nowadays, the Tanka people have moved ashore, and the old fisherman culture has been integrated into modern city life. The once-seafaring wedding procession has transformed into a festive land celebration, with traditions like “flower dragon boats” and “onshore boat rowing” continuing to thrive.
At the festival, residents gathered to watch an authentic water wedding performance, Flower Boats on the Water, where a vibrant wedding procession set off by boat with the groom, met the bride onshore in a festive, skillful reenactment of Tanka marriage customs. Traditional performances, including folk songs by Tanka cultural bearer Su Yulian, depicted the seafaring labor and daily lives of fishermen. Spectators enjoyed sticky rice dumplings and other treats, fully immersing in the rich layers of Tanka culture that harmoniously blends tradition and modernity.
In addition to the captivating performances, an array of handcrafted Tanka items and specialty foods were on display at the festival market. Attendees could admire intricate block prints, sugar figurines, clay dolls, and more. A resident surnamed Wang said that the festival market not only introduced her to exquisite Tanka handicrafts but also offered a taste of authentic Tanka flavors, deepening her appreciation for the richness and charm of the culture.