Hey there! Have you ever played with a spinning top? 🌀 Well, imagine a top that’s as big as a pizza! 🍕 In the beautiful Zhenkang County, located in southwest China’s Yunnan Province, the De’ang ethnic villagers have a super cool tradition. Every Spring Festival, they spin giant millstone-shaped tops to celebrate! 🎉
The Spring Festival, also known as the Chinese New Year, is a huge celebration filled with fireworks, family gatherings, and lots of fun activities. But for the De’ang people, spinning these huge tops is a special way to ring in the new year.
These tops aren’t your regular toys. They’re made from hard wood and are shaped like millstones. Some can be up to 40 centimeters wide (that’s nearly 16 inches!) and 8 centimeters tall. 😮 More than 40% of the villages in Zhenkang County have special top-playing fields just for this activity.
On the big day, the De’ang villagers gather under the shade of giant banyan trees 🌳 in Baiyan Village. There, they have exciting top-spinning competitions to see whose top can spin the longest. It’s a tradition that’s been passed down for generations and is considered an important part of their intangible cultural heritage.
Isn’t it amazing how different cultures have unique ways of celebrating? Next time you play with a spinning top, think about the De’ang villagers and their incredible millstone-shaped tops! Maybe you can even try making your own mini version at home. 😊
Reference(s):
De'ang ethnic villagers spin tops to celebrate the Spring Festival
cgtn.com
