Society

20,000 Chinese worship ancient Emperor's birth

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-06-08 22:08

SUIZHOU, Hubei - More than 20,000 Chinese from home and overseas gathered at a small Central China city on Tuesday to worship the birth of an ancient emperor, an annual tradition local residents have been observing to pray for a disaster-free year.

Honored as Emperor Yan, the legendary figure was believed to have created a primitive form of agriculture in Neolithic time, teaching many how to grow and harvest plants as an alternative way of life to hunting. To date, more than 60 percent of China's 1.3 billion people continue to reside in rural areas. Though many of them no longer engage in farming, the culture of farming persists.

While Emperor Yan's birthday was quietly observed by spontaneous local gatherings in the past, the government in Hubei province began sponsoring the event in Suizhou city last year and invited a number of overseas Chinese to join on such "roots-searching" trips.

At the altar of Emperor Yan, worshipers presented flowers, burned incense, performed ancient music and recited poems during a ceremony described as elaborate and dramatic.