Nine cultural customs in Gao'an 1. Nine wedding customs 2. Bullfighting 3. Getting up early to carry water 4. Celebrating the New Year on February 8th 5. Mounting beams 6. Posting "hanging money" 7. Little girls don't pay New Year greetings 8 .Birthday 9. Temple Fair "Nine Ways of Wedding Customs" There was an ancient marriage custom in rural areas such as Gao'an and Fengcheng, which was the "Nine Ways of Wedding Customs". Although this custom has some feudal and backward content, it embodies history and reflects the customs and sentiments of a place and time; from its changes, it is not difficult for us to hear the progress of the times. The so-called "Nine Wedding Customs" refer to the nine formal etiquettes that a couple needs from getting acquainted to getting married. These "Nine Wedding Customs" are: blind date, marriage, engagement, date, consummation, crying marriage, wedding, and making love. , return to the door. The so-called "blind date" refers to the first meeting. The man and woman choose a good day and place, and then about 8-10 people from the man and woman, their parents, matchmakers and direct relatives of the man and woman go to the chosen place to meet. If both men and women express no objection, the man will pay a meeting gift to the woman at that time. The meeting gift is usually not large in amount and is just a token of his affection. Afterwards, the man pays for a banquet for everyone present. The so-called "crossing the door" means that the man and woman go to each other's home to recognize each other as relatives. It is also necessary to choose a good and auspicious day for "passing the door". First, the man prepares a few kilograms of meat, a few kilograms of noodles, and a few pieces of cakes and comes to the woman's house. The woman's family welcomes them with firecrackers and kills chickens for entertainment. Then the woman's parents take the man to meet the woman's relatives. The man usually comes to the woman's house in the morning, and must come in even numbers. After breakfast, the man invites the woman to his home for lunch, and an even number of people from the woman's family must come to the man's home. When a woman comes to the man's house, the man's parents must give gifts to their future daughter-in-law. Some give money, some give bracelets, earrings, and rings. When the woman comes home, the man must also give her good-quality clothes. "Engagement" means that the man pays a certain amount of "gift money" to the woman. The amount of "gift money" is decided jointly by the man and the woman, and the amount is usually larger. In addition to the "gift money", the man must also send 200-300 kilograms of pork and 100 kilograms of noodles to the woman's family. On the day of the "engagement", the bride's family will host a banquet for all relatives and the whole village. After the "engagement", generally speaking, the identity of the couple is basically determined, and both parties are not allowed to cancel the engagement without special reasons. "Send date": After the "engagement", the man can determine a date as the wedding day. The man goes to the woman's house and copies the woman's birthday and zodiac sign, which is called "geng post". "Geng Tie" must be written on red paper. After writing it, ask the fortune teller to combine the "eight characters" according to the yin and yang of the heavenly stems and earthly branches and the five elements of metal, wood, water, fire and earth. If the "horoscopes" of the man and woman match each other and do not conflict with each other, then they will choose an auspicious day and write the wedding date on red paper and give it to the woman's family. If the woman's family accepts it, both parties will engage in intense preparations for the marriage. "Consummation": The day before the wedding, the groom's family will light four candles at the four corners of the new bed in the evening, and then select two boys and two girls to sit at the four corners of the new bed. Ask the older mother-in-law in the village to preside over the consummation and say something. Auspicious and wishful words are, of course, mostly words about having a baby early. The night before the wedding, there is also a custom in the bride's family, that is, "crying for marriage". That night, mother and daughter shared the same bed and pillows. The mother cried and explained to her daughter some experiences of being a woman and living at home, teaching her to respect her parents-in-law, unite neighbors, and live in harmony between husband and wife, etc. The mother also gives her daughter some money or other jewelry such as gold and silver. Some girls who are about to get married also make many exquisitely handmade insoles, which will also be pressed at the bottom of the box during this day and night. On their wedding day, mother and daughter once again held each other's hands and cried. There are also some places where brides express their reluctance and attachment to their parents by going on a diet or simply not eating anything from the first day of their wedding. Of course, the most lively and grand day is the wedding day. The groom's family invited a group of drummers, and a dozen young adults carried long poles on their shoulders and marched toward the bride's house. When you arrive at the woman's house, the woman's family moves all the dowry items (such as tables, chairs, sofas, hanging wardrobes, electrical appliances, etc.) to the door and ties them up with long poles. The bride wears a red cap and is accompanied by the groom, either by car, bicycle, or horseback riding. Playing and beating all the way to the man's house. First, we pay homage to our ancestors, and then we pay homage to our guests. When paying a visit, the guest should give a gift of money to the new couple. There is no limit on how much money they can give, and no amount of money is acceptable. It is up to the guest's wishes. After the worship service, they both entered the bridal chamber. The bride puts away the red jacket, green pants and red shoes she wore from her parents' home. These clothes are never allowed to be taken back to her parents' home. Otherwise, the woman will be suspected of cheating her husband or being divorced, and the natal family will be suspected of attracting bad luck. On the night of the wedding, everyone, rich or poor, must invite gongs and drums to play at the wedding. People gathered around the bride and groom to sing, dance, guess riddles, smoke and toast, and it was a lively and interesting time. When getting married, most places only fry rice cakes, boil beans, make tea and prepare wine to entertain guests. When the newcomers are tired of playing, everyone disperses. Three days after the wedding, the newlyweds go out. The man visits his father-in-law and mother-in-law, and the woman visits her parents, brothers, sisters-in-law, brothers, sisters and other relatives. This is commonly known as "returning home". On the day of returning home, the man will give gifts to the woman's parents, and the woman's parents will welcome her with a banquet. That afternoon, the couple must return home, rain or shine, and are not allowed to stay. The "Nine Ways of Wedding Customs" has been circulating in these areas for hundreds of years. Today, more and more young people are no longer keen on such complicated etiquette and customs, but most of their parents learned from these nine ways of marriage customs. Came over.
People of different eras have different behavioral standards and value orientations. Looking back at history can make us feel the feudal past and inspire our pride in today and our love and yearning for modern civilization. -------------------------------------------------- ---------- Bullfighting Gao'an is famous both inside and outside the province as "Gao'an scalpers", and Tujiacun is even more famous for its bullfighting club. Tujia Village holds a traditional folk competitive event - a bullfighting event at the beginning of the fifth lunar month every year. In the bullfighting venue, the bulls are strong and muscular, most weighing around three or four hundred kilograms. The owner specially bathed the cow for this day's competition. The combed hair shines in the sun and is very attractive. While watching the bullfight, people pay attention to which bull is strong and powerful, and prepare to buy it at a high price after the game. One after another, the participating cows, carefully groomed and dressed by their owners, appeared one after another. After entering the arena, two cows form a group, start a fighting stance, and push each other with their horns without showing weakness to each other. When the two cows were evenly matched, the surrounding audience cheered and cheered. The owners of both sides were extremely nervous at this time, hoping that their cows could defeat their opponents. After a fierce struggle, the winner was finally determined. The owner of the winner saw that his cow had won the prize, and the whole family was as excited as if they had won the Olympic champion. After several rounds of fighting, the winning "fighter" was determined, wearing a red flower and looking very proud. The owner can receive a bonus on the spot. -------------------------------------------------- ------------- It is a common custom in Gao'an villages to get up early to carry water and make "New Year's Eve rice" on New Year's Eve. In the early morning of the thirties, each family prepared a large steamer, filled the steamer with half-cooked rice, and put it on the large pot to cook it. Choose another place, put the steamer in place, stick a small red note on the steamer with the words "more than enough every year", and then hang a bunch of firecrackers, and the rice in the steamer will become "year-old rice". The sealed "New Year's rice" is not allowed to be opened at will. On the first and second days of the lunar month, neither cooking nor eating "year-old rice" is allowed, only miscellaneous rice is eaten. In this way, it not only expresses saving but also implies "surplus". When the New Year visitors arrive, the steamer lid is opened to eat the "New Year's rice". At this time, another set of firecrackers are set off to once again express "there will be savings every year." -------------------------------------------------- ---------- On the 28th, to celebrate the Spring Festival, the whole family usually gathers together to have "Reunion Wine" on the 30th night of the twelfth lunar month. However, the He family in Wuqiao, Gao'an City, still retains the custom of celebrating the New Year on the 28th of the twelfth lunar month and having reunion wine. According to legend, during the Zhengde period of the Ming Dynasty (1506-1521 AD), there was a bully named He Laocai who was running rampant in the He family in Wuqiao. He Laocai was mean and cruel, and he also exploited his own nephew. His nephew is called Xuegouzi (the famous Hualin peasant uprising leader Hu Xuer). Xuegouzi and some poor farmers were exploited by He Laocai until they could no longer live. They were forced to go to Hualin Mountain, raised the banner of "killing the rich and helping the poor", and decided to attack He Laocai on the night of New Year's Eve. Unexpectedly, the news leaked out. When Xuegouzi came to kill him, He Laocai had a reunion dinner with his family on the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, and on the 29th, he and his family of thieves fled to Gao'an County. From then on, the He family regarded New Year's Eve as an unlucky day. In order to avoid this unlucky day, they chose to celebrate the New Year on the night of the 28th of the twelfth lunar month. It gradually became a custom and continues to this day. . -------------------------------------------------- ---------- The folk custom of "raising the beams" when building a house upwards is said to be the joy of building a building. On the day when the beam was raised, the host cooked a banquet, and all relatives and friends came to congratulate him. When the beam was raised with vertical fans, auspicious cannons blasted into the sky, and there were many spectators. The carpenter cheered: "Yeah!" The owner cheered: "Okay!" "The golden rooster in hand and the phoenix crow, okay! The auspicious star of the golden rooster has arrived, okay! ..." One call and one answer, unique charm. The carpenter cheered and threw the mochi downwards. Village children and country women rushed to grab it, making it very lively. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, people built new houses and designed and constructed them according to the building plan. They no longer asked "earth immortals" to choose the foundation according to the old custom. Witchcraft and Taoism chose the time. Luban selected teachers to start the "Tai Sui" to start the ground. However, on the day of "raising the beam", it still said On this day, relatives and friends came to send gifts and congratulations, and helped with the vertical fan work. The beams were painted red, and the name of the person who built the house and the auspicious date were written on them. To this day, some places still have the practice of "Shang Liang" and grabbing mochi, and some people use candies instead.
-------------------------------------------------- ---------- Posting "hanging money" In some areas of Fengcheng and Gao'an, there is a custom of posting "hanging money" during the Chinese New Year. "Hanging money" is a long strip of paper-cut pattern, with five pieces forming a set. Each large piece is about one foot long and half a foot wide; the small ones are reduced accordingly. When making "hanging money", use a delicate and sharp carving knife to carve rich patterns according to the sample on high-quality red paper, and then use golden platinum paper to carve corresponding patterns and paste them on to show the magnificent scenery. "Guangqian" is a folk paper-cut art with clear and gorgeous patterns, delicate and exquisite patterns. In the old days, most of the patterns were in the shape of ancient coins, so it was called "Guangqian". Today, the patterns of "hanging money" include "dragon and phoenix showing auspiciousness", "double dragons playing with beads", "four happy plum blossoms", "lanterns" and so on. The words on its horizontal plaques are also becoming increasingly rich. In the past, there were only "peace" and "harmony", but now there are "the Communist Party is good", "good luck and good luck", "the country is peaceful and the people are safe", "life is prosperous" and so on. As a festive decoration, "hanging money" is as popular as Spring Festival couplets. It is often matched with Spring Festival couplets and placed on door lintels and shrines, which not only gives people the joy of the New Year, but also provides people with beautiful enjoyment. However, after the Lantern Festival, the "hanging money" must be taken off. If it is not taken off, it is said that the sleepy bug will stay with it, causing the family to doze off frequently, affecting production and not allowing a good harvest that year. -------------------------------------------------- ------------- Little girls do not pay New Year greetings. On the first day of the first lunar month, after eating longevity noodles, the New Year greeting activities begin, but little girls are not allowed to participate. Why? It turns out that there is an ancient legend here. Once upon a time, there lived a family here, a husband and wife and a beautiful and lovely little girl. On the first day of the first lunar month, the little girl clamored to go with her father to pay New Year greetings to the elders in the clan. When she walked not far from the house, suddenly there was a strong wind and the little girl disappeared. At night, the girl's father had a dream. He dreamed that his daughter was with Guanyin Bodhisattva. Guanyin said to him: "On the first day of the first lunar month, mortal women cannot go out. On this day, the Jade Emperor sent his heavenly generals to inspect the human world. He saw Your little girl who is as beautiful as a flower is outside. She thinks it is a monster that is harming the world, so she brings her to heaven. Your daughter has been judged not to be a monster. Seeing that she looks smart, I have accepted her as my disciple. She can never come back. Returning to the human world, please remember that on the first day of the Lunar New Year, it is best not to let girls go out to pay New Year greetings. "Since then, girls here have no longer gone out to pay New Year greetings to their elders on the first day of the Lunar New Year. -------------------------------------------------- ------------- In the old days of longevity and birth, sons were given priority over daughters. When the child goes to the ground, the parents take two jugs of wine and send them to the grandmother's family to announce the good news, commonly known as "baoya wine" or "light eye wine". Red strips of paper are pasted on the jug, and cypress leaves are on the spout. On the lid of the pot, a baby boy is born. , put a pinch of yellow smoke; give birth to a girl, put a pinch of salt. Three days after the baby is born, the parents have a banquet with wine, which is commonly known as "three dynasties". In addition, wine and banquets are required for "full moon", "full hundred days" and "full year". As the saying goes: "A table of wine is served at the age of one, friends and relatives are invited at the age of ten, and wine is served at the age of twenty. No one knows about it at thirty, and no one knows about it at forty. Kill a chicken at fifty, cook it at sixty, and fly all over the sky at seventy." But girls After one year of age, one can only eat one pair of eggs on every birthday. When men and women reach the age of sixty, they are called "sixty" old people. Depending on their family circumstances, their children and grandchildren may celebrate their birthdays with wine as appropriate. The family of corrupt officials and scoundrels took the opportunity to extort money. In October of the 19th year of the Republic of China, the village bully Zhang San celebrated his mother's 70th birthday. They hosted more than 300 banquets, invited two Beijing troupes to sing operas, and a company of troops to stand guard. The tenants gave generous gifts, did not gamble on the draw, and plundered tens of thousands of people's wealth (silver dollars). After the founding of the People's Republic of China, as economic conditions improved, many working people celebrated the birthdays of their elders. Birthday candles, flowers, birthday meat, birthday noodles, birthday shoes, birthday quilts, colorful explosions and other items were displayed in front of the hall. The procedures were: setting off firecrackers, Eat birthday noodles, pay birthdays, have a banquet, and toast to the elderly. The son-in-law wishes birthdays to his parents-in-law, and must prepare gifts such as meat, noodles, birthday candles, birthday flowers, birthday shoes, and birthday quilts. In the autumn of 1985, there was a man in Dagang Yu Village, Xinjie Township. The Taiwanese people went home from Hong Kong to visit relatives and celebrate their mother's 80th birthday. They entertained 30 tables of wine to entertain the guests and screened a movie in the evening to entertain the whole village, so as to enjoy the gathering of relatives and friends on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. -------------------------------------------------- -------------- Temple Fairs In the old days, there were many temple fairs, with different purposes and forms. However, most of them were superstitious, either openly using gods to confuse the public, or taking the opportunity to open a casino. Shanghu Township held every year On September 11th, the Bodhisattva on horseback and the baby riding in a portable palanquin were paraded through the streets as an attraction, attracting gamblers from far and near. Farmers from all around also came to worship and pray for God's blessings. There were also "Mu'en disciples" who invited the class to perform operas to thank the gods for their kindness, and Gu said that they "fulfilled their wishes". The market is extremely lively with vendors gathering there. Every August 21st in the county town, Gutan Bodhisattva "crosses the alley". Villagers take advantage of this to enter the city and return some agricultural products, handicrafts, and daily necessities to the market for trading. In the northern and southern cities, street stalls are adjacent to each other, shouting about buying and selling, and the crowds are bustling; there are also puppet shows and "peep shows" to entertain people. Other towns often take advantage of temple fairs to sell local products and exchange supplies.
On March 8th, the Huayang "Jockey Club" gathers horse riders from all over the world to trade horses; the "Bullfighting Club" in Dacheng invites cattle from far and near to have fun in "fighting the year", and uses this to compare the advantages and disadvantages of cattle, and select The cattle were replaced; in front of the village, at Wuqiao, the Wang family mainly sold bamboo and tree materials, farm tools, and rice. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, superstition was abolished, and temple fair dates were used to exchange materials and activate the urban and rural economy. This is what Gao'an people now call "dangjie".