Appreciate Folk Customs in Dingbian County, Yulin City, Shaanxi

“Having a joyful Lunar New Year in Yulin”, a folk activity in Northern Shaanxi, was held in Dingbian County on February 6, 2017 and a variety of folk customs were presented, such as Rattle Stick Dance, Running Donkey Dance, Horse Racing and Yangko.

Located in the northwest of Shaanxi and on the westernmost tip of Yunlin, Dingbian County is the borderline area of Shaanxi, Gansu, Ningxia and Inner Mongolia. The county is rich in intangible cultural heritage, such as paper-cut, storytelling, shadow puppet, folk songs and delicacies.

Rattle Stick Dance, a folk dance art in Dingbian County, has been listed as Shaanxi provincial intangible cultural heritage. According to legend, Xiang Yu, the King of Western Chu, rose up after drinking and practiced with the whip. The dancers, full of passion, are bold, unconstrained and vigorous.

Running Donkey Dance, a folk cultural activity, originated in Anbian Town, Dingbian County. The dance has a history of more than 100 years on the “Ancient Salt-horse Road.” During each Spring Festival, donkeys are dressed up beautifully for interesting donkey races. Performers make many interesting competition, such as standing on the back of the donkey and riding the donkey backward.