Luocheng celebrates first National Cultural Heritage Day

A wide range of activities were held in Luocheng Mulao autonomous county, Hechi in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region on June 10, to celebrate its first National Cultural Heritage Day.

During the day, Mulao embroidery, paper cutting, grass and bamboo weaving were exhibited as Mulao ethnic cultural heritages.Other activities included a shuttlecock competition, iron hooping, and xiuqiu throwing – the game uses a special ball made of strips of silk which was used for choosing husbands in ancient China.

Luocheng , China's only autonomous county for the Mulao ethnic group, is home to rich Mulao cultural heritages, including Mulao folk songs and dancing, embroidery, traditional costumes, cuisine, local wedding virtues, folklore, and architecture.

The traditions in Luocheng have gained national attention and protection. Mulao Yifan Festival was listed in the first collection of intangible cultural heritages under national protection back in 2006; Mulao folk songs, embroidery skills, dragon dancing, wedding ceremonies, the Zoupo Festival, Meisha pot-making, and cloth-dying skills have also been listed as intangible cultural heritages under autonomous regional protection.