Gelao Maolong Festival

Name of China's national intangible cultural heritage: Gelao Maolong Festival

Applicant: Shiqian County, Guizhou Province

Item No.: 474

Project No.: Ⅹ - 26

Time of publication: 2006 (the first batch)

Category: folk customs

Region:

Type: new item

Applicant: Shiqian County, Guizhou Province

Protection unit: Shiqian County Cultural Center

Introduction to Gelao Maolong Festival

Applicant: Shiqian County, Guizhou Province

"Gelao Maolong" is a popular form of expression handed down from generation to generation by Gelao people in Shiqian County. It is mainly spread in Yanming, Longfeng and other Gelao villages in Longjing, Tangshan and other towns of Shiqian County, Guizhou Province, and radiates to the Dong, Miao and Tujia Nationalities in the whole county. Gelao Maolong is mainly active during the Lantern Festival. Some scholars infer that Maolong originated from Gelao's "bamboo king" worship and reproductive worship in ancient times.

Dragon worship is the core of Gelao Maolong. Its basic elements include: 1. "Dragon" belief, including traditional stories, dragon worship ceremony, dragon worship occasions and supplies, and dragon worship chanting; 2. Accessory totem belief, including "bamboo king" worship, Panhu worship, Folk Buddhism and Taoism worship and primitive worship; 3. Tie art, including material selection (bamboo strips, colored paper) and craft; 4. Playing skills, including "two dragons snatching treasure", "lazy dragon turning over", etc“ 5. Recitation, including ritual recitation of "Kaiguang", "invite water", "Shaolong" and performance recitation of "kaicaimen" and "jingcaishen".

"Gelao Maolong" has a rich cultural value, showing a unique national, regional and diverse social functions. It is a valuable asset for the study of ancient Gelao cultural tradition.