Published : 2024-10-10
In Jun'an, Shunde (順德均安), from 6 to 22 October, it is a big day for the tour of the Marquis of Emperor Guan, and the whole town mobilises to celebrate the occasion, with firecrackers and gongs and drums sounding loudly, which makes the town so lively that it is comparable to the New Year's Eve.
This traditional custom, with a history of over 170 years, has been selected as an intangible cultural heritage of Guangdong Province.
In recent years, it has also been added different activities such as Chinese Folk Dance-Yingge (英歌舞), Emperor Guan Market (關帝墟), food and others to become a grand cultural Carnival with different variety shows and is lasting for half month.
After the opening of Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, there are many direct coaches available from Hong Kong to Jun'an, which make it more possible to see this amazing custom.
Emperor Guan and Hou Wang Parade to give blessings to Jun'an villagers
The Parade of Emperor Guan and Hou Wang (關帝侯王出遊) in Jun'an is an act of the people living in Jiangweizhou (江尾洲十三鄉) jointly to worship Emperor Guan (關帝) and Hou Wang (候王).
It begins at the ancient temple of Emperor Sanhua (三華帝王古廟) on the 4th of the Lunar September, until the 20th of the Lunar month (some said that it is until the 19th of the lunar month). It is a large-scale celebration that lasts for more than half month.
The custom is started by a ceremony inviting the statues of Emperor Guan and Hou Wang out from the Palace (起宮), and such ceremony is a holy one and is usually hosted by respected elderly of the villages.
After a series of worshiping service, the statues of Emperor Guan and Hou Wang are placed into the "palanquin (鑾輿)". Palanquin is a well-decorated wooden box carrier carrying on two horizontal poles by a number of bearers, symbolizing as if a King parade on the street.
With the statues being invited out from the Palace, the parade begins.
The Parade includes the flag team (彩旗隊), the Babao team (八寶隊), the Chinese Luo umbrella team (羅傘隊), etc. leading the way for Emperor Guan and Hou Wang.
During the parade, the members rhythmically shake the palanquin up and down from time to time and shout loudly. The crowd around responds stimotaneouly and enthusiastically.
The Parade followed by the musicians playing Chinese Eight-tone gongs and drums (八音鑼鼓櫃). The sound of music, the sound of gongs and drums, and the crowd all together putting the atmosphere to the most.
The villagers of Jun'an believe that wherever Emperor Guan and Hou Wang touring around, they can get rid of the evils and bring good fortune thereafter.
Villagers welcome and serve Jun'an food for the parade
The Parade of Emperor Guan and Hou Wang is one of the most important folk festivals of Jun'an. At this time, many people who have worked in other countries will be back and participate in the ceremony.
When the villagers hear the music of the eight-tone gongs and drums from distance, they know that the parade team is coming soon, then they will start to go out to welcome.
Whenever the palanquin reaches a place, villagers will place offerings of food and fruit at the doorway of their homes for worshipping. When the palanquin arrives at the ancestral halls of each village, it will take a rest and receive worship from each household.
After completion of the parade ceremony, people will gather together to eat the "Emperor Guan's meal (關帝飯)". There are various Jun'an renowned cuisines on the table, such as Jun'an fish cakes, Jun'an steamed pork, Jun'an roast pork, etc.
The "Parade of the Emperor Guan and Hou Wang" custom started in 1851 by five villages in Jun'an, and has been going on for over 170 years. In 2014, it was included in the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Shunde District. In 2015, it was listed as the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Guangdong Province.
The ancestral hall of the Li family and Bruce Lee's amusement park
Today, the Jun'an's "Parade of Emperor Guan and Hou Wang" has been developed into a folk cultural festival for tourism. In 2024, it will showcase the five major folk cultures of Jun'an, including culture of loyalty, Cantonese opera, kung fu, craftsmanship, and cuisine, making it become a special cultural carnival.
At the Li family ancestral hall and Bruce Lee's amusement park, there are performances of Cantonese opera Yingge Dance (英歌舞) which is a cultural gem of Chaoshan, China.
Yingge Dance tells you the valor of the Chinese war dance and the loyalty of the people of Jun'an in the history. At Bruce Lee amusement park, there is a Guan Emperor's fair where booths and games are set up for everyone to have fun.
In the amphitheatre, there will be a series of cultural performances showcasing the cultural heritage of Cantonese Opera in Jun'an, the "Hometown of Chinese Opera" and the "Hometown of Ethnic Folk Art of Guangdong Province".
In the evening, there is also the Cangmen Night Market (倉門夜市), featuring a wide range of Jun'an delicacies and showcasing Shunde's “Culinary Capital”.
With sightseeing, watching performances, and tasting delicacies, the Intangible Cultural Heritage custom is definitely a great place to visit in Lunar September.
Now, with the opening of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, you can take the cross-border bus directly to Jun'an from Hong Kong. The journey takes about three hours only, making it more convenient for Hong Kong residents to travel to Shunde.
Read more: Shunde's eighteen skills in cooking fish
