Friday marked the opening of China’s 12th National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities in Sanya, Hainan Province, and one event is soaring above the rest: the ancient sport of swinging.
These vibrant swings reach an impressive height of 12 meters, with a parallel bell rack adding both spectacle and challenge. Female athletes compete to swing the highest with the fewest pushes or to ring bells as many times as possible within ten minutes.
Rooted in the traditions of the Korean ethnic group in northeast China, swinging is recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage. According to Yang Yudan, coach of the Jilin delegation, the sport has a fascinating history.
“One tale suggests that women from noble families, longing to see the world beyond their courtyards, would set up swings to catch glimpses over the walls,” she said. “Over time, swinging became a popular leisure activity for women during the farming off-season.”
This year’s games bring together around 10,000 athletes from all 56 of China’s ethnic groups. They will compete in 17 sports, including 139 events and three demonstration sports. The games celebrate culture, sport, and unity in diversity.
Some events, like equestrian competitions, have already taken place in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, setting the stage for this grand celebration on the tropical island of Hainan.
Reference(s):
Ancient swinging gains spotlight at China's National Traditional Games
cgtn.com
