At the recently held Qianren Temple Fair in Majuqiao town, Qiao Yingqing led the villagers from Dasongfa village's Stilts Dance Team to assist in the performance, earning unanimous praise from both inside and outside the venue. 

This was the largest-scale performance they participated in throughout 2023.

Leading the stilt team is a group of children from Dasongfa village's stilt team. [Photo/beijingetown.com.cn]

At noon, the participating villagers gradually entered the village committee. They arrived two hours prior to the performance. Various headdresses, costumes, and props were already laid out on the tables in the meeting room. 

Thirty three-year-old Tian Shuaijie, one of the few women on the team, is a key member. 

For this performance, she specifically wore a close-fitting outfit for ease of putting on the costume and stilts. 

With the assistance of the master, Tian transformed into a character with a head adorned with colorful beads and a literary fan. 

Subsequently, other villagers also put on costumes corresponding to their roles. 

"The Stilts Dance Team now has more than 30 members. Although it's not considered a massive team, it's still strong and robust, especially with several children joining recently," said Qiao Yingqing, who is determined to promote and expand the Stilts Dance Team in Dasongfa village. Looking at the scene before him, he felt gratified. 

As the villagers finished getting dressed, their usual simplicity was replaced by a theatrical demeanor.

At 12:30, the entire group was ready to go. At 13:00, they gathered to put on stilts after a short break. At 13:45, the stilts dance performance began. 

The main theme of Dasongfa's stilts dance is an artistic depiction of the life of fishermen, woodcutters, and scholars. 

This is reflected in characters like the monk with disheveled hair and a headband, the little brother in red and green, the martial fan dancer with a folding fan, the fisherman with a fishing rod, the woodcutter carrying a shoulder pole, the fisherwoman in pink clothes, the four drums, the four gongs with fluffy ball headpieces, and the plasterer in a purple and yellow robe, holding a medical lantern in one hand and a string of bells in the other. 

Various drums and percussion instruments played in unison, creating a lively and festive atmosphere, with people dancing, twisting, and marching. 

Particularly, the two young people at the front danced with confidence. 

As Qiao put it, "Don't be fooled by the severe cold of winter; the spring of Dasongfa village's stilts dance has already arrived.”

A team member, with the help of teammates, ties the headdress. [Photo/beijingetown.com.cn]

Experienced elderly individuals assist in handling the intricate headdresses. [Photo/beijingetown.com.cn]

Neatly dressed team members take photos together. [Photo/beijingetown.com.cn]

Humorous coordination during the stilt performance by a duo [Photo/beijingetown.com.cn]

The banner of Dasongfa Village's stilt team leads as they enter the temple fair. [Photo/beijingetown.com.cn]

High stools are provided specifically for stilt team members to rest. [Photo/beijingetown.com.cn]

The temple fair is crowded with people, and Dasongfa village's stilt team attracts the attention of spectators. [Photo/beijingetown.com.cn]