Sparrow, a type of bird, has strong reproductive ability and a huge population. It mainly feeds on millet, rice, and other crops, and often builds nests in eaves, walls, and tree branches. During the farming season, sparrows prefer to forage in the fields, especially the rice seeds planted by farmers and their buds, which are their favorite.

 

 

Since ancient times, the second day of the second lunar month has been regarded as the “birthday” of sparrows by Guidong people. Each household takes out their best rice, grinds it into powder, and kneads it into finger-sized round ciba with water. Then, they stick the well-cooked ciba into prepared tree branches, which are then stuck into the fields, gardens, or in the front and back of the house. After that, people sing the sparrow song and perform the dragon dance to pray for good weather and abundant harvests. It has become the annual traditional folk festival “Sparrow Festival” in Guidong.

 

 

Volunteers and villagers were busy making and cooking ciba. They shared the joy of making “Sparrow Ciba” and experienced the charm of traditional folk customs as well as Guidong cuisine.

 

In recent years, Guidong County has launched local traditional folk activities such as the Hemiao Festival, Tea Song Festival, and Harvest Festival to inherit excellent traditional folk customs, and enrich rural spiritual and cultural life, which can help bring folk activities and intangible cultural heritage back to life, and promote industrial development.

 

 

Chinese source: rednet