Hello everyone, I am Li Houhu, from Licheng, Shanxi, and I am currently the only Buhu tiger that has become a national intangible cultural heritage. The licheng people's love for tiger culture can be traced back to the Shang and Zhou dynasties, hey, this is not my bragging, there are archaeological discoveries of jade tigers can support it. Nowadays, the jade tiger has evolved into a cloth tiger that integrates folk paper-cutting, embroidery, face sculpture and other arts, haha, it is the tiger in the lower Lihou.
This is Li Houhu sewn by li xiaomei, a non-hereditary heir. (Courtesy of the interviewee)
In Licheng, tiger culture has been passed down for nearly 3,000 years and is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. When the child is full moon, the elders of the family will give the child a Lihou tiger, hoping that we can protect the child's safety.
This is the jade tiger found by archaeology at the Xiguan Cemetery in Licheng. (Photo courtesy of Licheng County People's Cultural Center)
In 1998, the Lihou tiger motif appeared on the Year of the Tiger zodiac stamp. (Photo courtesy of Licheng County People's Cultural Center)
Not only that, the folk also give us cultural connotations such as Li Houhu blessings and longevity, town house exorcism, and settling down and making money, making us a popular gift for celebrating festivals and gifting relatives and friends. With the advent of the Year of the Tiger, it has also greatly promoted the sales of Li Houhu. In the studio of Li Xiaomei, the provincial inheritor of the national intangible cultural heritage Li Houhu, workers are nervously rushing to make Li Houhu. In the first three months of the Spring Festival, the studio of more than 100 people undertook 3,000 production orders, which could keep our Li "mother" busy.
Li Xiaomei (first from left) teaches a local foreign teacher who came to visit to make Li Houhu. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Xuetao
In addition to these ornaments, the image of our Lihou tiger has also derived a series of cultural and creative products, such as Lihou tiger belly pocket, tiger head hat, tiger head shoes, tiger pillow and so on, which are deeply loved by people. In order to promote industrial development, Licheng County has vigorously developed the Lihou Tiger Cultural and Creative Industry, and has greatly promoted the employment of local rural women.
Li Jingfen, a villager in Beiguihua Village in Licheng County, rushed to make tiger tails at home. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Xuetao
Nowadays, we Lihouhu are not only the mascots that guard people's peace and happiness, but also the small divine beasts that lead the villagers to make a fortune. Watching the villagers live happier and happier, watching our lovely hometown become more and more beautiful, I am really happy and proud!
Licheng County children with cloth tigers. Screenshot of Xinhua News Agency reporter Ma Zhiyi's video
The Year of the Tiger has arrived, I am here to give you a New Year's greeting, please receive the blessings from my Li HouHu, I wish everyone a dragon and a tiger leap, a lucky star, and a spirit!
Coordinator: Wu Weiling
Reporter: Ma Zhiyi
Choreographer: Zhao Shiyun
Voiced by: Zhang Zixiao
Production: Xinhua FM Studio
Xinhua News Agency Audio and Video Department
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