[Chancre doll] a living fossil that has witnessed the change of folklore for more than 2,000 years

Photograph: Zhang Baoqin

The "chancre dolls" with strong customs and folk feelings have appeared on the streets of Huating, and the vivid dolls are not only full of joy and auspiciousness, but also full of people's wishes and yearning for a better and happier life. Next, let everyone follow my lens to understand the folk tradition of "chancre dolls" to feel the charm of ancient traditional customs.

On the 23rd day of the first month, the chancre is a unique folk custom in Huating, on this day, it is necessary to make a doll "chancre doll" for children to make offerings, and burn the chancre doll at the bonfire party at night, which means to burn off the disease attached to the child.

Approaching the twenty-third day of the first month, but the citizens who buy (sell) "chancre dolls" are endless, and there are girls who buy "dry wives" and boys who buy "dry daughters-in-law". This custom has continued for thousands of years in the Huating area of Longdong, especially the "chancre doll" has become a "living fossil" of ancient dolls that can still be seen on the mainland.

Nowadays, the folk art of making "chancre dolls" is gradually fading out of people's lives with the closer times, but the production process and style are becoming more and more exquisite, from the door painting paper to the current imitation cloth, from the egg shell to the current craft shell, the production materials are closer, and the rich and diverse styles not only connect the memories of the masses for a better life, but also constantly depict and cut the artistic life of folk customs in the accumulation and penetration of folk culture.

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February 23, 2022

Editor: Zhang Yaozhong