STORY: Ali's tales of finding dragons | Dragon head carving in S China
SHOOTING DATE: Feb. 26, 2024
DATELINE: March. 1, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:24
LOCATION: GUANGZHOU, China
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Ali finding dragons
2. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): BALLO ALI, Malian basketball blogger

STORYLINE:

SOUNDBITE (Chinese): BALLO ALI, Malian basketball blogger
"Join me for a city walk to experience the joy of the Year of the Dragon in Dongguan, and get to know the city in a different way. It is said that the best dragon boat scene is in Wanjiang, which has an age-old dragon boat culture.

Rising Dragon Square. Swimming Dragon Street. I think there must be some stories about the dragon here. This dragon head is really good. This is interesting. I'll take this one. See you next time.

Look, I find your dad. You look alike. Aren't you happy about this! This dragon head is not finished yet.

(Hello.)

Hello, I have been searching for dragons lately.

(We specialize in making dragon heads (for dragon boats). This is the most common style in the Pearl River Delta region.)

These three are the same.

(Yeah, they are brothers.
(The wooden dragon heads) can be easily made by machines.

But we don't use machines because the expression in the dragon's eyes and its smile are shaped by our carving techniques.)

The traditional technique of making a dragon head involves dozens of procedures, such as carving, polishing, and painting.

This is what people call the finishing touch.

(Yes, exactly. Be careful.)

Every process is a test of the artist's patience, meticulousness, and craftsmanship.

(There are also many foreigners, who are very interested in the legends of the dragon. We Chinese are called 'descendants of the dragon.')

Right.

(We young people should carry on the fine culture passed down to us by our ancestors.)

This big dragon head is done.

Where should we put it?

(Come, follow me.)

Let's go.

This is the place.

How do we install it?

(Just pull it through here.)

Pull it through here.

Yes.

Okay. Now the dragon boat is done with its head on.

How does it look?

Take a look, isn't it handsome?

Isn't it handsome?

(Looking cool.)

We are the champions of 2024.

Believe it or not.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Guangzhou, China.
(XHTV)