Yao people celebrate Awakening of Insects

Residents of Jianghua Yao autonomous county of Yongzhou, Hunan province, sang and danced on Saturday to celebrate the coming of the Awakening of Insects.

The event, which involves Yao people exhibiting their grand traditional costumes, singing folk songs, performing tai chi and dragon dances and dancing on paddle boards or kayaks impressed tourists with their unique Yao culture.

Awakening of Insects is the third solar term of the 24 terms defined by the traditional Chinese solar calendar. It falls on March 6 and ends on March 20 this year. It means a rise in temperature and increased rainfall. The name suggests animals sleeping in winter are awakened by spring thunder. For farmers, it has been the term that marks the start of spring work.

The event, with the natural landscape as the stage and members of the public as major performers, aimed to promote rural art, culture and tourism, said Zou Fuqiao, Party chief of the culture, tourism, radio, film and sports bureau of Jianghua.