Hechi sees 4 intangible cultural heritage items added to national list

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism released a new group of 325 national intangible cultural heritage items in Beijing on June 10, increasing the list first established in 2006 to 1,557 items.

As part of the announcement, Hechi saw four more customs added to China's fifth batch of intangible cultural heritage items. The number of selected items accounts for 22 percent of Guangxi's total, meaning Hechi ranks first in the whole region.

The four customs are: the traditional Zhuzhu Festival of the Bunu Yao ethnic group; the custom of ceremonially showing respect to the elderly as kept by the people of the Zhuang ethnic group; the custom of the Zhuang ethnic people in which participants hit their shoulder-poles, also known as "stick dance"; and the ancient folk songs of the Mulam people.

Covering different categories such as folk literature, traditional music, traditional sports, acrobatics, traditional skills, and folk customs, the items on this list fully demonstrate the historical and cultural diversity of Hechi and the richness of its intangible cultural heritage.

Mulam people gather to sing ancient folk songs. [Photo/Hechi Daily]

People perform the "stick dance" in Hechi. [Photo/Hechi Daily]

Hechi Yao people join the celebration of Zhuzhu Festival, which is held on May 29 every year. [Photo/Hechi Daily]

A young person adds cereals to an elder's bamboo basket, to bless the elder's health and longevity. [Photo/Hechi Daily]