People of all ethnic groups are singing a duet of the mountain songs on the banks of Bailong Lake, Nanning People's Park, Guangxi. Photo by Yu Xiangquan/Guangming Picture
Pan Jifeng (right), a representative inheritor of the national intangible cultural heritage, taught the children Hongyao embroidery skills. Photo by Li Zhongbo/Guangming Picture
Zuozhou Town, Jiangzhou District, Chongzuo City, Guangxi held a folk activity to grab fireworks to welcome the upcoming "March 3" traditional festival. Photo by Lu Wenfei/Guangming Picture
During the "March 3", in Gaoshan Tea Garden, Sangu Village, Dazhang Township, Jinxiu Yao Autonomous County, Guangxi, tea farmers were rushing to pick spring tea. Gao Rujin Photo/Guangming Picture
[Cultural China Tour]
In Guangxi, southern Xinjiang, the motherland, whenever the third day of the third lunar month comes, compatriots of all ethnic groups on the land of Bagui will wear colorful clothes, sing and dance, and ignite the entire spring with laughter and enthusiasm. "March 3" is a colorful folk music, and a vivid footnote to the unity of Bagui's children, carrying a profound cultural heritage and strong national sentiment.
"March 3" has a long history and is known as Shangsi Festival in ancient times. For thousands of years, with the years flowing through the long river of history, on this fertile soil of Guangxi, "March 3" is like the blooming flowers in spring, brightly blooming. The "March 3" engraved with the imprint of "Guangxi" combines a variety of cultural elements, especially the legend of Liu Sanjie, the "singing immortal" of the Zhuang tribe. In 2014, the "Zhuang Nationality March 3" was included in the national intangible cultural heritage list and became a legal public holiday in Guangxi, giving people plenty of time to embrace the inheritance of this culture.
During the March 3rd period, the towns, villages, streets and alleys of Guangxi were filled with a strong festive atmosphere. Colorful ethnic costumes are the flowing display of the cultures of various ethnic groups; fragrant food awakens people's perception of a better life; melodious mountain songs echo between the mountains and rivers, outlining a gorgeous folk painting.
On the festival, ancestor worship is a solemn opening. People bring carefully prepared offerings and awe, remember their ancestors and thank their ancestors for their kindness. Then, the lively singing festival brought the festival atmosphere to a climax. Men, women, young and old gathered together, and mountain songs came one after another. Young men and women convey their feelings through folk songs, and hydrangeas fly in the air, conveying love and expectation, and weaving beautiful fates.
In addition to singing, "Guangxi March 3rd" also has many wonderful folk activities. The five-color glutinous rice made by every family is a perfect combination of nature and the wisdom of life. Soak the glutinous rice in plant juice such as red orchid grass, yellow rice flowers, and the steamed rice is colorful, soft, sweet and sweet, meaning a prosperous population and a happy life. "Crashing Easter eggs" is also a popular custom. Easter eggs are not only a source of joy for children, but also a small object for young men and women to communicate with each other. In some places, the fireworks grabbing activities are very lively, and those who grab fireworks are regarded as lucky people; the rhythm of playing the shoulder pole carries a wish for a good harvest; the sound of hitting the bronze drum tells the story of the nation and conveys the feelings of celebration or mourning.
"Guangxi March 3rd" contains rich cultural connotations. The folk songs are the recorders of national history and emotions, singing the ups and downs of life and inheriting the national spirit. Five-color glutinous rice, hydrangea, bronze drum, etc., each carries the awe of nature, yearning for love, and love for life by Bagui's children. Values such as respecting the elderly and loving the young, unity and mutual assistance have also been passed down from generation to generation during festival activities, becoming a spiritual force that inspires people to forge ahead.
Guangxi is a place where many ethnic groups live together, and various ethnic groups such as Zhuang, Han, Yao, Miao, and Dong are as close as one family. "Guangxi March 3rd" provides a broad stage for exchanges and integration for all ethnic groups. During the festival, everyone wears ethnic costumes to show off their unique culture, appreciate and learn from each other. Singing folk songs, throwing hydrangeas, tasting food, and participating in sports events. With the laughter and joy, the distance between the various ethnic groups is narrowed, and the feelings are getting deeper, forming a harmonious picture of you having me and I having you.
The 2025 "Guangxi March 3·Bagui Carnival" event is themed "Guangxi March 3, Trendy Toys invite you to come". From March 31 to April 28, a series of exciting activities attracted everyone's attention. Key activities such as the International Folk Song Invitational Competition, the third season of the "New Folk Song Conference", as well as special activities covering five major sections including ethnic culture display, tourism promotion, sports competitions, shopping and entertainment, and cultural exchanges will be held one after another. In addition, a series of activities carried out by 14 cities in combination with regional characteristics have formed a grand cultural feast, showing the image of Guangxi, promoting national unity, and promoting economic development.
"Guangxi March 3rd", this shining pearl in the cultural treasure house of the Chinese nation, is the common spiritual home of the children of Bagui and an important window to showcase the diverse and integrated pattern of the Chinese nation. bring it on! The warm and hospitable Bagui children are using songs as a medium and dancing to convey their feelings, welcoming guests from all directions, and indulging in this grand cultural feast...
(Reporter Zhou Shixing and Wang Jinwen of this newspaper)
