Making a fire is a traditional Spring Festival custom in Shuozhou.

In the folk, flourishing fire point means prosperity.

Shanxi Shuozhou is rich in coal, which is closely related to the daily life of Shuozhou people.

Archaeology in Shuozhou confirmed that in ancient times, coal had penetrated into the customs of ancestors, and making a fire was the custom in Shuozhou area.

Every New Year's Eve and Lantern Festival in Shuozhou area, a tower should be built in front of every family's yard. The villagers called it Wanghuo to celebrate the prosperity of the New Year.

Put firewood inside, put colorful flowers outside, and put a red note on it, writing the words "flourishing"

Camel sedan chair

The decorative patterns of the "mule-carrying sedan chair" all have the meanings of happiness, auspiciousness and pairs, such as the double phoenix, butterfly and bat hovering up and down, which are all in pairs, and contain the meanings of harmony, beauty and love for each other; There are also Pisces and Double Rabbits, commonly known as "slippery fish and anxious rabbits".

yangge opera

Shuozhou Yangko is a comprehensive folk art form integrating dance, opera and martial arts, which was performed in squares and streets in the early days.

Among them, the dance-based yangko opera is called "Kicking Drum Yangko", which is mainly performed in folk activities such as festivals and birthdays. Yangko opera, which focuses on performance, is called "Yangko", and its repertoire is mainly Taoist stories and folk stories.

die

In 2009, CCTV broadcast "Going West", which reflected the hardships and simplicity of Shanxi merchants.

Judging from the general road map of Shanxi people's westward journey, starting from the north-central part of Shanxi, one goes westward, passes through Shahukou and enters the Mongolian grassland; One goes east, crosses Datong and enters Mongolia via Zhangjiakou.

The "west exit" in the folk "westward journey" is the killing tiger exit in Youyu County, Shuozhou City, Shanxi Province.

Walking out of this west exit, you will arrive at Guisui (collectively referred to as Guisui), Kulun and Duolun, Ulyasutai, Cobudo, Xinjiang and other areas, which used to be dominated by Shanxi people.

"Killing the tiger's mouth" is also an important trade route leading to Mongolia, Chaktu and Russia.

The rise and fall history of Kill Tiger Mouth also reflects the rise and fall history of Shanxi merchants.