Xiaoxu Zhuang Township in Jianghua Yao Autonomous County, Hunan Province, celebrated the traditional "Niuwang (the King of the Cattle) Festival" on May 24, the eighth day of the fourth lunar month. A grand celebration integrating folk heritage, cultural tourism experiences, and livelihood services unfolded that day, attracting nearly ten thousand tourists and people of various ethnic groups to join the festivities.

The "crowning ceremony for the king of the cattle." (Photo/Huang Chunhua)

At 9:18 a.m. that day, a solemn "crowning ceremony for the king of the cattle" took place as scheduled at the Niuwang Square in Qingtang Village. Amid joyful cattle-dance performances, local elders draped the "king of the cattle" in red silk decorations; then, a grand parade procession made its way through the village, greeted by laughter and cheers everywhere, as people of all ethnic groups prayed for favorable weather and a bountiful harvest.

A cattle-themed folk performance pushed the festival atmosphere to a climax. Zhuang ethnic dances honoring the king of the cattle, traditional songs, and Yao ethnic performances took turns on stage, vividly depicting a beautiful picture of harmonious coexistence and intimate relationships among the Han, Yao, and Zhuang peoples.

At the cultural square, a "Cattle Feast" banquet featuring "Eight Big Bowls" of the Zhuang ethnic group was held, with tourists and villagers sitting together to share a meal, celebrating the successful conclusion of spring plowing amidst aromas of delicacies. On a "grassland" of Qingtang Village, the "Cattle King Battle" tug-of-war competition was fiercely underway, with representative teams from 19 villages competing in rounds, accompanied by waves of cheers and shouts of encouragement.

"After several years of celebrations, local villagers' cohesion has grown stronger. We couldn't have won the gold prize without everyone's support!" Nie Manping, Party secretary of Huanglv Village, could not hide his joy after the match. Tourist Chen Fulan said, "I liked the tug-of-war the most; the atmosphere was so lively and exciting. It was absolutely worth coming here!"

The "Cattle King Battle" tug-of-war competition. (Photo/Zhang Yu)

Complementing the intense excitement of the competition field, the Yao Medicine Health and Wellness Experience Event inside the Qingtang Village Clinic was filled with warm-hearted care. Professional Yao medicine practitioners offered free health consultations, blood pressure and blood sugar tests to the public, and also demonstrated Zhuang and Yao medicinal therapies. "My chest pain was quite severe; after the Yao medicine practitioner applied ointment, massaged, and performed cupping, I felt much better!" Tourist Chen Xinbao's experience represented the popularity of this public service. The combination of traditional medicine and health services particularly won the favor of the middle-aged and elderly groups.

In the Qingtang Village Cultural Corridor, the agricultural specialty product exhibition and sales area was bustling with crowds. Zhuang specialty cuisine and high-quality agricultural and sideline products were gathered together, and the "Jianghua Kucha Tea" tasting area was rich with tea aromas. "The local honey and handmade glutinous rice cakes taste truly authentic—this place is full of rural charm!" Tourist Mo Yanhua said while shopping, adding that she would definitely bring friends back in the future.

"The Niuwang Festival is the root through which the Zhuang people inherit farming culture and revere diligence," said Liu Dandan, head of Xiaoxu Zhuang Township. She noted that by using the festival as a medium, the event not only promotes ethnic unity and preserves farming culture but also helps showcase the township as a beautiful and harmonious countryside, transforming "festival visitor traffic" into "increased income" for villagers, truly achieving cultural enrichment.

This article is from the Hunan Provincial Government www.enghunan.gov.cn.

Translator: Xiao Juan

Chinese source: Chinanews