Riding high

Ancient Shanxi folk art is receiving more attention thanks to dedicated inheritors, Yang Feiyue in Beijing and Sun Ruisheng in Taiyuan report.

From a distance, she looks like a little fairy that's dancing. Moving closer, it becomes clear that the child is wearing heavy makeup and a bright-colored costume, akin to those seen in Chinese opera, and is performing on an iron-framed stand resting on an adult's shoulders.

This is a traditional show called naoge that was named a national intangible cultural heritage in 2008. The Chinese character nao means "hoisting" in the local dialect of Shanxi province, while ge refers to something similar to an attic.

"Standing high against the blue sky, children represent our wishes and ambition," says Hao Laixi, a master of the performance from Ekou town in Daixian county, Shanxi.

Naoge boasts a history of more than 1,700 years, as indicated by unearthed terracotta figurines from the Southern and Northern Dynasties (420-581).Hao has been familiar with naoge since childhood in Ekou, which is a birthplace of the folk art. He was first involved in the performance at the age of 5.

"I have looked forward to naoge ever since, especially during Spring Festival," Hao says.

Now 75 years old, Hao says, his parents would dress him up and put him on the stand, an act that is considered by locals to bring good fortune and keep people safe.

"It was one of the things that every child in Ekou most wished for," Hao says.

For beginners, it might feel a bit scary after being hoisted that high, but once the music starts and people around start cheering, any fear a child might have usually gives way to excitement, he says.