Xinbang Flower Basket Horse Lantern Dance

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The Xinbang Flower Basket Horse Lantern Dance is a traditional folk performance originating in Xinbang Town, Songjiang District. This vibrant and culturally rich dance is practiced in all 72 villages of the town, each maintaining a dedicated dance team.

Originally known as the "String Horse Lantern Dance", the performance takes its name from the primary props used: horse lanterns and flower baskets. It is a distinctive folk art form, deeply rooted in local customs and festivities.

The dance is typically performed in the evening, creating a mesmerizing spectacle of illuminated props. Performers use flower baskets, colorful horse figures, water stretchers, bowls, medicine boxes, and yellow silk umbrellas, all adorned with small red candles. These flickering lights enhance the visual appeal, adding a magical ambiance to the night.

Historically, the Horse Lantern Dance was primarily showcased during the Lantern Festival and temple fairs. Xinbang Town, once known as the "Horse Lantern Township of Mountain Song," has preserved this tradition for generations. Each village forms a lantern dance team, and during the Lantern Festival, the festivities begin with a grand procession from the temple. Villagers eagerly welcome the performers with glowing lanterns, warm hospitality, and traditional red paper gift bags. The performances continue across different villages, filling the air with the rhythmic beats of gongs and drums, creating a dazzling and dynamic atmosphere. The celebrations last until the end of the first lunar month.

In its early days, the dance featured only four horses and four flower baskets. Over time, folk artists enriched the performance, increasing the number of props to six, eight, or even more, sometimes merging two lantern teams into a single grand spectacle. To enhance coordination and visual appeal, additional elements such as eight yellow silk umbrellas, female dancers in vibrant costumes, and intricate formations were introduced. Interestingly, female performers often dressed as men, adding to the theatrical nature of the performance.

The Horse Lantern Dance evolved to incorporate various dramatic elements from classic plays like "Water Margin", "The Legend of the White Snake", and "Lu Chunyang's Three Encounters with White Peony." The formations and movements became increasingly elaborate, featuring 31 distinctive patterns, including "Being Shot", "Bowl Rack", "Double Push Mill", "Wild Cat Cave", "Dading Sheng", "Fighting the Back to the Dragon", and "Broken Bridge Encounter". A local folk jingle encapsulates the intricate formations:

Throughout the performance, the lantern team skillfully maneuvers their props in sync with the beats of the "Seven Words Gong", an essential folk percussion instrument. The rhythm alternates between slow and fast tempos, gradually building to an electrifying climax. The interplay of lights, movement, and music creates an unforgettable spectacle, celebrating the enduring charm of Xinbang's Flower Basket Horse Lantern Dance.

Original Chinese text source:
https://www.ichshanghai.cn/