Yangdian stilt walkers bring history to life on wooden legs

Yangdian stilt walkers showcase exquisite traditional costumes and gestures. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Yangdian town, Xiaonan district, Xiaogan, is known as the "hometown of stilt walking". This traditional art form, in which performers attach long wooden stilts to their legs, has a rich history in Yangdian and is practiced in various styles.

Yangdian stilt walking is divided into wenqiao (civil stilt walking) and wuqiao (martial stilt walking). Wenqiao emphasizes facial makeup and involves twisting, stepping, and walking movements. In contrast, wuqiao focuses on acrobatic skills, featuring running, jumping, lifting, flipping, and fighting, which are distinctive local traits.

The performances depict historical stories, with roles classified as sheng (male roles), dan (female roles), jing (painted-face male roles), mo (the first supporting roles), and chou (comic roles).

The performance costumes have a unique style, with exquisite quality, featuring dragon and phoenix patterns embroidered in bright colors. The designs are based on Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) styles, with performers wearing theatrical costumes according to their characters' identities and occupations, complemented by heavy makeup.

It showcases how local people celebrate and pray for a better life, reflecting their annual hopes and traditions that have been faithfully preserved to this day. It has been recognized as part of the fourth batch of provincial intangible cultural heritage since October 2013.

Performers tie long wooden stilts to their legs. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]