Folk customs

(seu.edu.cn)
Updated: 2006-05-25 12:45

In the process of building houses, great emphasis is put on auspiciousness. Such activities as the selection of land, building materials and the day of construction, erection of pillars, installation of beams, completion and congratulation are all carried

Custom of farming and solar terms

Farming and life are arranged according to the 24 divisions of the solar year in the traditional Chinese calendar.

Custom of offering sacrifices for farming

Seeds are planted around Pure Brightness (5th solar term) at a selected lucky time by experienced senior peasants. Words said should be auspicious.

Custom of handicraft industry

From generation to generation, apprentices are guided by master workers in various workshops. An apprentice is supposed to have a recommender or guarantor and sign an agreement. During the period of apprenticeship, there is a rigid hierarchy of position.

Custom of fishery

As there is a complex network of rivers in Jiangsu, fishermen have been engaged in raising and catching fish. Fishermen on Lake Tai enshrine and worship the legendary emperor of the Xia Dynasty Yu who regulated rivers and watercourses, so they have built.

Custom of fair

A big fair is usually held in the slack season in farming, from one to ten days. During the fair, incense smoke curls up and gongs and drums produce a deafening sound inside the temple, whereas outside the temple, there are pedlars of different trades, var.

Custom of child-bearing

In the period of women's pregnancy, there generally exist the traditional experience of judging a baby's sex, the convention of pregnant woman care, the practice of expediting child delivery, gift presentation and congratulation, the choice of infant name.

Custom of birthday celebration

For people more than 60 years old, birthday celebration is called "Shouchen" (birthday of elderly people). People believe that the ages of 25, 29, 33, 36, 66 are critical, so on these birthdays there must be a celebration. It is common practice in Jiangsu Even if the elderly people are dead, their sons and daughters commemorate their seventieth, eightieth and ninetieth birthday.

Custom of funeral

There is a multitude of items such as bathing, coffin keeping, report of death, keeping vigil beside the coffin, funeral arrangements, family memorial ceremony, funeral procession, burial, and so on. Jiangsu people believe that it is best to bury the dead.