Shandong county uses sheep fighting to drive rural vitalization

A sheep fighting event takes place in Qianli village every winter. [Photo by Wang Yiming for chinadaily.com.cn]

Sheep fighting is a traditional activity in Yanggu county, Shandong province that plays an important role in rural vitalization.

The most renowned sheep fighting event in the county takes place in Qianli village every winter. This competition has a rich history spanning almost a century and has taken place 11 times since 2012. Each edition attracts more than a thousand spectators and hundreds of sheep from neighboring counties and cities like Liangshan, Taiqian, Guanxian, and Nanle.

Traditional sheep fighting is a spectacle enjoyed by thousands of people in the region. [Photo by Wang Yiming for chinadaily.com.cn]

Legend has it that the origins of sheep fighting can be traced back to the Three Kingdoms period (AD 220-280) when Cao Cao, who was feeling defeated and demoralized, stumbled upon two sheep fiercely butting their heads. The sight lifted his spirits, and he quickly gathered his men to witness the spectacle. The excitement and newfound morale then inspired Cao's army to launch the counterattack that defeated Yuan Shao.

Yu Qianfang, a local official, said that promoting rural vitalization involves not only improving living conditions and increasing income but also promoting traditional culture. By preserving and innovating upon these traditions, rural areas can ignite a "new spark" of vitalization. This approach leverages cultural soft power to foster high-quality development, creating livable, workable, and beautiful villages. (Edited by Jiang Ting)