The ninth day of the first month in the Chinese calendar is the Shangjiu festival for Tibetan people on Jiajin mountain, in Southwest China's Sichuan Province. Many people are attracted to enjoy the festive atmosphere and wonderful performances. Our reporter Guo Tianqi has more. 

 

The Jiajin mountain Tibetans believe that the 9th day in the Chinese calendar is when the sky was made. As the sky is the most divine thing in their tradition, this is the biggest celebration of the year.

 

Local villagers form special dancing teams, all wearing masks. They dance very wildly with the rhythm of the drums, led by a dragon, lions and an ox. They bow to the crowd as they parade in the village, to deliver good wishes for the coming year.

 

GUO TIANQI Qiaoqi Town, Baoxing County "During Tibetan Festivals, praying is a very important thing. What I'm holding is called 'Longda', throwing it into the air means the sky and ground can both hear your prayer, and the blessing can be delivered to everyone."

 

But the most important ritual of the whole festival is the folk acrobatics called: egg-holding swan, to demonstrate the story of the holy bird JIAQIONG's conquest of a huge black python. Tibetan males are using everyday items to make the set. The winding bamboo basket represents the sky, the rolled straw mat represents the python, and the stacked tables are a sea wave.

 

Shu Qing began to take on the role of the holy bird 18 years ago.

 

SHU QING Villager "In the straw mat, the most important thing is to use the shoulders and knees, with elbow support. It's difficult to keep balance when doing a handstand on the top."

 

They are not professional acrobats. Their industrious lives gives them flexible and strong bodies, and traditions are preserved as they perform.

 

SHU QING Villager "I used to be naughty. Now I always watch the elders practice. I gradually learned. Now every performance is very exciting, to protect this tradition."

 

Due to the impact of the COVID epidemic, the grand Shangjiu Festival has not been held for three years, but now the lively festival atmosphere has again lit up the crowd.

 

YANGWANG JINZHU Tourist "Every year, today is the day of our family reunion. My clothes are newly made by my mother, and my jewelry is handed down from my grandmother."

 

LAMU Villager "I cooked special Tibetan cured pork and cut it into small pieces to share with our guests."

 

ZHANG CHAOXIN Tourist "I came here with my friends. The festival atmosphere here is so lively, especially the singing and dance performances."

 

The celebration lasts all day long. People dancing, eating, enjoying each other's company, using their laughter to welcome the arrival of a warm spring.

 

Guo Tianqi, CGTN, Qiaoqi Town, Sichuan Province.