Lantern Officials “take office”

Daguan’s and Erguan’s jobs begin on the 14th day of the first lunar month. Accompanied by family members and villagers-acting subordinates, they ride horses to the family where the “three gods” are housed that year to accept the “official” flag and seal at a ceremonious ritual, thus becoming legitimate representatives of the gods.

Accepting the “official”flag and seal

the “official”seal

That afternoon, folk performances such as Yang’er dance and stilts take to the street, ushering in the annual Lantern Festival show. When night falls, more exciting programs featuring Erguan “checking lantern-hanging” and “hearing civil cases” unfold.

The gong is struck three times to direct the whole process. After the first gong is heard, every family hangs lanterns on their gates. When the gong is hit again, every lantern is lighted up, illuminating the street and making it as bright as daytime. Villagers now swarm out onto the street, appreciating different-styled lanterns and waiting for Erguan’s official team to appear. When the gong sounds for a third time, Erguan, the leading actor that night, is dressed in an early 20th century long gown and wears a pair of sunglasses and a hat. He comes from the eastern end of the street, together with his male family members and “subordinates”, all riding horses. Their task is to check whether every house gate is lit with a lantern and “hear” possible “civil cases”. As the group approaches, one can hear Erguan say: “Well, this lantern is quite unique and beautiful,” or “that one is far from good.” All of a sudden, a voice from the audience says loudly: “I have grievance and hope you can do justice for me!” Then Erguan orders the team to stop and asks the man to present his case. The man complains that he’s over 70-years-old, but his two sons refuse to feed him. Erguan then summons the man’s “sons” to come to him and demands to know why. The two “sons” defend themselves with weak reasons. Erguan brushes away their excuses and orders that they support their “father” either by themselves or hiring a nursing maid. The two “sons” accept the verdict and the “father” expresses his gratefulness. At this, the audience standing around applauds. Erguan’s team keeps moving. They’ll be stopped several times along the street to hear “cases” which are fictional but closely related to the villagers’ daily life, sometimes with hilarious lines.

After “checking lanterns” and “hearing cases”, traditional fireworks made by local experts are set off at Dengsanlan, one of the two public squares in the village. The loud banging, cracking, and sizzling, together with people’s shouts in an excited manner, fill every corner of the square. More than crackers, “iron fire” is sometimes “ignited”. It is basically a ladle filled with molten iron that spills drops of hot red liquid iron, producing a firework-like effect.

When the last of the fireworks are lit, a haystack that is 10 meters in diameter is piled up in the middle of the square and then lit, creating a giant bonfire. People gather around it to keep warm from the cold night, and, according to custom, receive good luck from it.

All the day’s programs including “checking lantern-hanging” and “hearing civil cases”, fireworks show and burning “auspicious” hay are repeated the following night, only on an even bigger scale and to bigger crowds.