The video filmed on April 9 in Jiamusi showcased the 2024 China Jiamusi 'Hanjiang Festival' opens on April 9. 'Han' means shouting, 'Jiang' means river. 'Hanjiang' is an old custom in Jiamusi, of which local people shout to the river and pray for the new year's blessing and good harvest of fishing. Apart from the 'Hanjiang' ritual, there are also other performances including Shaman dance, Yimakan, a kind of storytelling, and other performances."

"Hanjiang" is a traditional blessing ceremony observed by the fishing and hunting communities of northern China.

In ancient times, as the river thawed each spring, fishermen would cast various delicacies into the river, offering prayers for favorable weather and a bountiful harvest in the upcoming year.

Over time, this ritual evolved into the practice of "awakening" the river during its thaw.

People would gather along the riverbanks, singing songs and shouting towards the river, to symbolically rouse the flowing waters.

Local fishermen hold the belief that the "Hanjiang Festival" has the power to stir the fish from their winter slumber and herald the arrival of spring.

STORY: Traditional ritual celebrated in NE China's Heilongjiang
SHOOTING TIME: April 9, 2024
DATELINE: April 9, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:04
LOCATION: JIAMUSI, China
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. STANDUP (English): DAI JINRONG, Xinhua correspondent
2. various of Jiamusi
3. various of "Hanjiang Festival"
4. various of Hezhe people dancing during the ceremony

STORYLINE:

STANDUP (English): DAI JINRONG, Xinhua correspondent
"I'm now in Jiamusi, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province.
The 2024 China Jiamusi 'Hanjiang Festival' opens on Tuesday. 'Han' means shouting, 'Jiang' means river. 'Hanjiang' is an old custom in Jiamusi, of which local people shout to the river and pray for the new year's blessing and good harvest of fishing. Apart from the 'Hanjiang' ritual, there are also other performances including Shaman dance, Yimakan, a kind of storytelling, and other performances."

"Hanjiang" is a traditional blessing ceremony observed by the fishing and hunting communities of northern China.

In ancient times, as the river thawed each spring, fishermen would cast various delicacies into the river, offering prayers for favorable weather and a bountiful harvest in the upcoming year.

Over time, this ritual evolved into the practice of "awakening" the river during its thaw.

People would gather along the riverbanks, singing songs and shouting towards the river, to symbolically rouse the flowing waters.

Local fishermen hold the belief that the "Hanjiang Festival" has the power to stir the fish from their winter slumber and herald the arrival of spring.

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