On March 1, Zhang Qinglong paints a dragon head. The 54-year-old man is the only master that makes the fire dragon at Majing’ao Town, Jishou city, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture. He learned to make a dragon at the age of 8 and became a master at the age of 12.
On March 2 evening, fire dragon dance performance wins great applause of the audience.
On March 2, a fire dragon dance was staged at Majing’ao Town, Jishou City, to celebrate the Lantern Festival. Enjoying a history of more than 300 years, the fire dragon dance is a traditional ritual activity commonly held to pray for good weather and bumper harvest by Miao people in Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture.
Translator: Xiao Juan