Akhil Parashar: Tongxiang, a town of silk culture
It was my first time to see this kind of ceremony and was really great experience. Folks were joining jollification, buying silkworms, enjoying silkworm dance, and other folk activities. The performers did silkworm worship rituals, folk parade, local food show, folk project show, and sericulture show on stage. They were dressed in traditional attire and some of them were characterized in the character of Journey to the West. I felt a sense of traversing time and space. I was amazed by stupendous performances and ceremony.
After the silkworm worship ceremony, a silkworm maiden folklore parade was held by the performers. Silkworm maiden was throwing candies and flowers to folk as a symbol of good luck and fortune. The drums team, the flag team, silkworm fairy, the silkworm dance team, the lantern team, the boat team, the lion dance team, the dragon dance team were also in the folklore parade. People were waiving at them and taking photos from their camera.
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Silkworm maiden folklore parade. [Photo by Akhil Parashar/chinadaily.com.cn] |
The food show was also one of the most attractions of the ceremony where folk were able to enjoy complimentary food tastings. I tasted some local snack foods such as sweet-wheat cakes, sponge cakes, sugar paintings, "goose necks" cakes which were showcased in the show. It were sweet and sticky, never had them before. I got some packed for my family and friends.
