Mud Gods and Harvest Rituals in Hakka Spring Tradition

Earlier this month, the historic town of Changting in Fujian's Longyan region came alive with the Hakka folk tradition known as Nao Chuntian, translated as "Spring Field Celebration" and also referred to as "Carrying the Gods through the Fields." This event, recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage item of China, celebrates the Hakka people's spring farming culture.

During the festival, village residents carry statues of deities such as the God of Wealth and the legendary general Guan Yu into flooded rice paddies, joyfully running, splashing, and engaging playfully with the muddy waters. This vibrant ritual serves as both a form of gratitude and a prayer for a plentiful harvest, embodying the community's deep-rooted connection to the land and their aspirations for prosperity.