Ancestor worship ceremonyShenzhen Museum
What is the Xiasha ancestor worship ceremony?
The custom of Xiasha ancestor worship has been passed down for 800 years. It's a traditional ritual activity of Huang family in Xiasha village. The villagers all have the surname of Huang, and today thousands of the same surname will gather annually to trace back their origin.
Ancestral hallShenzhen Museum
The ceremony includes joint pilgrimages to sacred sites such as memorial sites and the tombs of lineage founders, performing traditional dances and gather for a large meal. It's not just a local event but also an international one since lots of the Huang descendants live abroad.
Dance performance during the ancestor worshipingShenzhen Museum
The ceremonies are standardized and well preserved, and combine love for one's country and hometown with respect for the elderly, and cultural activities between different ethnic communities. You can see a lion dance performance during the ceremony.
Dragon dance during the ancestor worshiping ceremory at Lianhuashan ParkShenzhen Museum
In 2016, approximately 32,000 people who came from 28 countries with the surname "Huang" assembled in Xiasha village in Shenzhen, for their annual ceremony. This photo shows a dragon dance performance in this annual feast.
Dragon head at Shenzhen museumShenzhen Museum
Rituals and traditions well preserved
Shenzhen is known as an instant city with migrants coming from all over China in a short time. However, its local culture is still an import part of the city culture. Some traditional rituals on the verge of being lost have been preserved and they make the culture more dynamic.
The local rituals have an important historical and academic value. This custom also has great value when it comes to promoting cultural and economic exchange within China and abroad, enhancing national unity and promoting the traditional culture.
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