Descendants of Wu from around the world worship ancestor, Taibo

Panoramic image of Wu's descendants worshiping their ancestor, Taibo, in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, on April 10. [Photo/Yu Shen]

Wu's descendants from Indonesia and the Philippines. [Photo/Yu Shen]

Tangming, a traditional performing arts originating from the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), was revived during the ritual event in Wuxi. [Photo/Yu Shen]

A record number of Wu descendants gathered in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, to worship their ancestor Taibo together on April 10. More than 1,100 people from over 10 countries and regions, including South Korea, Malaysia and Indonesia, and 20 provinces and cities of China attended the event.

Taibo was the founder of the State of Wu – a state during the Western Zhou Dynasty (c.11th century-771 BC) and the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC) - and made Meili (now in Wuxi, Jiangsu province) as its capital. During his reign, Taibo developed irrigation, encouraged agriculture, and dug the Canal Du. He is customarily known as the propagator of all people surnamed Wu.

According to the sponsor, "Chinese Everywhere Wu Ancestor and Relative Association", the event has become a regular ritual since 2006 for those carrying the surname Wu to worship Taibo and trace their roots.

During the ritual event, Wu Rongxiang, chairman of the "Chinese Everywhere Wu Ancestor and Relative Association", presented flower baskets, burnt incense and carried on a cultural sacrificial tradition as the chief official, along with 27 officials and deacons.

After the ritual event, artists in Wuxi performed Tangming, a traditional form of Kunqu Opera, originating from the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) and passed down between generations of Wu's descendants.

Wu Fayuan from Hong Kong said that many descendants of Wu from Hong Kong have visited Wuxi to worship Taibo, trace Wu's roots and experience the culture of Wu's family for 30 years. Now that the ritual event has become a collective event for the worldwide descendants of Wu family, he hoped that they can worship Taibo together and carry forward Wu culture to the world.

Compared to previous years, this year's ritual event is sponsored by Wu's descendants without any help from the government. Descendants of Wu raised money and organized the event by themselves.

In addition, descendants of Wu enjoyed a Wu-culture-themed art performance organized by the Wuxi New District on the same day.