Dragon Dance (Puzhai fire dragon)

Name of China's national intangible cultural heritage: Dragon Dance (Puzhai fire dragon)

Applicant: Fengshun County, Guangdong Province

Item No.: 107

Project No.: Ⅲ - 4

Time of publication: 2008 (second batch)

Category: traditional dance

Region: Guangdong Province

Type: Extension Project

Applicant: Fengshun County, Guangdong Province

Protection unit: Fengshun County Cultural Center

Introduction to Dragon Dance (Puzhai fire dragon)

Applicant: Fengshun County, Guangdong Province

Dragon dance, also known as "Dragon Dance", is the most widely distributed and far-reaching folk dance in China. This kind of dance has various forms of expression, and the styles of dragon dance in different nationalities and regions are quite different.

According to the shape of the dragon, there are many forms of dragon dance, such as cloth dragon, yarn dragon, paper dragon, grass dragon, Qian dragon, bamboo dragon, brown dragon, bench dragon, shutter dragon, lotus dragon, fire dragon, chicken feather dragon, meat dragon and so on. Different forms of dragon have different dance styles and techniques. The traditional performance procedure of Chinese dragon dance is generally composed of "invite the dragon", "leave the dragon", "dance the dragon" and "send the dragon". Dragon dance is an important part of the spirit and cultural heritage of the Chinese nation.

Puzhai fire dragon is a traditional activity of villagers in Puzhai Town, Fengshun County, Guangdong Province. According to Fengshun County annals, as early as the sixth year of Qianlong (1741), Puzhai town had the custom of fire dragon performance. Every Spring Festival, the villagers of Puzhai town will contribute to the production of fire dragon, and perform in the dragon body (place name) of Puzhai on the night of the Lantern Festival to pray for good weather, good luck, good harvest and peace. When the fire dragon dances, tens of thousands of people living around hear it and watch it. Over time, a kind of folk tradition has been formed and passed on from generation to generation.

Puzhai fire dragon show is composed of three parts: "Yumen", "Yanjia" and "fire dragon". "Yumen" is 6 meters high and 10 meters wide. It contains all kinds of fireworks and is connected by fuse. The "cigarette rack" is more than ten meters high and made of wood. There are several layers up and down. Each layer has a different landscape and is also connected by fuse. "Fire dragon" was first made by binding straw with gunpowder made of sulfur, white nitrate and charcoal. The technique is very simple. After long-term practice, the production of Puzhai fire dragon has become more and more complicated. Its total length is up to 35 meters, with various kinds of fireworks and rockets inside, and paper mounting outside. After painting, it looks exquisite, beautiful and lifelike. The "fire dragon" can open its mouth, spit beads, bow, shake its tail, and spray fire. When dancing, it can automatically ignite and fire all kinds of fireworks and gunpowder, creating a gorgeous landscape. The "fire dragon" performance was held in the square at night, with more than 100 people from the fire cable team, xipao team, Longdeng team and drum band performing together. The performers, barebacked and holding the dragon's head high, danced the dragon's body and tail, and launched all kinds of fireworks and rockets as they danced. Against the backdrop of the shuttling fish and shrimp, they formed a magnificent scene.

Up to now, Puzhai fire dragon has grown from more than Zhangyu to more than 30 meters long, and cigarette racks have grown from 5 and 7 to 13 now, with a height of 15 meters. Yumen, which has been lost for more than 60 years, developed into folk art after re excavation. In recent years, the fire dragon in Puzhai is facing survival crisis due to lack of successors.