Working themselves into a trance, bare-chested men in eastern China lean into incandescent fountains of sparks to cleanse themselves of evil spirits and ensure a fortuitous new year.
The spectacular scene takes place annually in villages such as Xiaohu in coastal Fujian province, which is home to an array of colourful centuries-old Lunar New Year rites linked to ancient customs and local gods.
Selected devotees allow themselves to be “possessed” by those gods, then chant intonations and blow on horns as they are escorted to the courtyard of Xiaohu’s main temple.
There, they lean for up to 10 seconds into a spray of bright white sparks shooting upward from fireworks placed on the ground while waving small flags or fans as hundreds of people watch.
Opening their mouths, they pretend to “eat” the sparks, thus giving the custom its local name, “eating flowers”.
A high-level Syrian delegation led by the Deputy Minister of Education of Syria Mr. Rami…
Jalal Khan, a progressive farmer, who achieved bumper wheat crop this season seemed upset after…
Chairman of the of the Prime Minister's Youth Programme, Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, has reiterated…
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), in collaboration with United Nations Economic and Social Commission…
The Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that his government is committed…
The independent candidate aspiring to contest the by-election in PP-269 has announced to stand down…
Leave a Comment