Colorful years

On this meaningful and unique day, the rich and diverse folk cultural projects of the Tujia ethnic group, like a dazzling kaleidoscope, come together to bloom in competition, weaving together a magnificent and vibrant picture of folk customs.

The waist drum team took the stage first. Dressed in bright traditional costumes and holding waist drums wrapped in red silk, they moved with vigor and their drumming was powerful and resonant, as if they could strike out the resilience and pride in the bones of the Tujia people.

The drumbeats were dense and rhythmic, stirring the heart like a clear mountain spring, making people feel a powerful vitality and an indomitable spirit.

Next, the Yangko dance team made their appearance. Their graceful figures and light steps, along with the colorful fans in their hands that fluttered like butterflies, added a touch of beauty and dynamism to the stage.

Their movements were coordinated and synchronized, like reflections in the water, complementing each other beautifully.

On the other side, the performances of the Three-Stick Drum and the Drumming Dance were even more thrilling and exciting, leaving the audience breathless. The Three-Stick Drum performers were agile, their drumsticks flying through the air in a breathtaking display akin to acrobatics.

The performers who make dice use their superb skills to toss the dice into the air and catch them in various ways. Each successful toss and catch draws gasps of amazement from the audience.

The lantern troupe's performance was exquisite. Lanterns of various shapes slowly rose into the night sky, like dazzling stars illuminating the entire night. These lanterns were not only brightly colored, but also carried profound meanings, each embodying the Tujia people's yearning and pursuit of a better life.

The lion dance troupe's performance was majestic. Dressed in golden lion skins, they imitated various lion movements, sometimes rolling and jumping, sometimes playing and frolicking, perfectly showcasing the lion's power and cuteness.

The dragon lantern troupe's performance was even more breathtaking, with giant dragons, each tens of meters long, tumbling and dancing on the field with magnificent momentum, as if real dragons had descended to earth.

Their performance not only showcased the Tujia people's worship and reverence for the dragon, but also reflected the unique charm and profound heritage of Tujia culture.

The inheritance and development of this culture is not only the Tujia people's respect for and remembrance of the past, but also their expectation and vision for the future.

Energetic young men, dressed in traditional costumes, were full of vigor and spirit. They either showcased their dancing and singing talents on stage or mingled with the crowd, sharing the joy of the festival with their relatives and friends.

The charming young women, dressed in colorful ethnic costumes, were as beautiful and captivating as blooming flowers. Some danced gracefully with colorful fans in hand, while others held bouquets of flowers and chatted happily, adding a touch of gentleness and warmth to the stage.

The innocent and lively children darted back and forth across the field like cheerful little birds. They cheered and shouted encouragement for the performing teams with their clear and loud voices.

Those passionate shouts seemed to inject a continuous stream of energy and vitality into the entire scene.

Looking over there, some elderly but still vigorous villagers were also bringing out square tables and rustic wooden chairs from their homes.

They gathered around with their friends, leisurely enjoying the festive joy.

Some people are holding delicious food in their hands, savoring its flavor;

Some people watched the wonderful performance intently, occasionally letting out heartfelt exclamations of praise;

Others chatted casually, sharing snippets of their lives.

Their faces beamed with happy and content smiles, as beautiful and charming as flowers blooming under the warm spring sun.

As time went on, the activities on the threshing ground gradually reached their climax.

The villagers spontaneously organized various competitions and games, such as tug-of-war, rope skipping, and riddles.

These activities not only provided exercise but also strengthened friendship and unity among neighbors. Everyone participated enthusiastically, sweating and laughing, and enjoying this rare festive atmosphere.

During the tug-of-war, the villagers divided into two teams, gripping the rope tightly, pushing off the ground with their feet, and pulling backward with all their might. Their faces were filled with determination and perseverance, as if they wanted to pass on this strength to everyone.

With the referee's whistle, the match officially began. Both teams worked together with great effort and determination, while the spectators cheered them on from the sidelines.

The cheers and shouts mingled together, as if they were about to overturn the entire threshing ground.

After a fierce competition, the victors cheered and jumped for joy, while the losers were not discouraged at all. They hugged each other and celebrated this wonderful moment together.

The jump rope competition was equally exciting. The competitors leaped lightly, holding their ropes. Their movements were skillful and graceful, drawing beautiful arcs in the air.

The audience watched intently, applauding and cheering for the contestants' outstanding performances. The applause and cheers rose like waves, pushing the competition to one climax after another.

The riddle-guessing activity attracted many villagers. Everyone gathered around, discussing the answers to the riddles.

Some riddles are simple and funny, making people laugh; others are profound and difficult to understand, making people rack their brains.

Some people were deep in thought, some were discussing with each other, and some were cheering and jumping for joy. The whole scene was filled with laughter and joy.

Young Congcong first stood in the corner of the threshing ground, watching the various folk cultural activities and performances with great concentration.

Once the riddle-guessing activity began, he participated with great enthusiasm. This was one of his strengths. He specifically chose riddles that others couldn't solve and challenged them.

When the host read out the first riddle: "Wearing a red hat, a green robe, filled with pearls, and shaped like a boat. Guess what plant it is."

After hearing this, the villagers fell into deep thought. Some frowned, some lowered their heads in contemplation, and some discussed among themselves, but after a quarter of an hour, no one had guessed the answer.