Viral plea turns into national pig feast

What started as a daughter's simple plea for help on social media transformed a quiet village into a massive "folk culture carnival" this past weekend, as thousands of strangers drove across China to help a young woman's elderly father slaughter the family pigs.

The woman, known online as Daidai, hails from Qingfu village in the Hechuan district of Chongqing. On Jan 9, she posted a video on Douyin expressing anxiety over an increasingly common issue for villagers — her father, now in his 70s, was no longer strong enough to manage the family's year-end pig slaughter tradition alone.

She invited anyone willing to lend a hand to come over for Paozhutang, a traditional "pig slaughter feast", which is a longstanding rural tradition in many parts of China, marking the approach of the Chinese New Year. Neighbors and relatives gather to help with every step — holding the pigs, singeing off bristles, carving meat and cooking dishes — before sharing a hearty meal. Guests typically leave with fresh pork pressed into their hands, a symbol of hospitality and reciprocity.

She expected a few neighbors; she got a national movement. Within 48 hours, the video amassed nearly half a million likes. By Saturday and Sunday, the roads leading to Qingfu village were gridlocked by a 10-kilometer traffic jam as visitors arrived from as far as Guangdong province, bringing gifts as if visiting long-lost relatives.

The turnout was so massive that Daidai's original two pigs were woefully insufficient. Sensing a cultural phenomenon, neighbors and the district's cultural and tourism department donated three additional pigs. In total, five pigs were slaughtered to feed a rotating crowd of over 3,000 people.

Scenes on the ground were a mix of chaotic labor and communal joy. The event was largely unplanned, but observers noted a unique "labor chain" where socioeconomic status disappeared; a Porsche owner was seen rolling up his sleeves to wash dishes, mothers sat on low stools chopping mountains of vegetables, and teams of strong young men fulfilled the original request by holding down the livestock.

To manage the hunger of the masses, the local Yanzi catering team was brought in. Head chef Jiang Xiaoyan, a 16-year veteran of village banquets, called it the most exhausting job of her career. She estimated that her team went through over 500 kilograms of rice, 350 kg of oil, and several pickup trucks' worth of vegetables and seasonings. Even with support from neighboring hotels and extra kitchen teams, the cost of the raw materials alone likely exceeded 100,000 yuan ($14,000).

The Hechuan government pivoted to support the influx, deploying traffic police and urban management to maintain order. They even integrated local culture into the impromptu festival, providing guests with free tickets to the historic Diaoyucheng Fortress and organizing a traditional molten iron fireworks display.

The event has turned Daidai into an overnight sensation, with her follower count skyrocketing from a few hundred to 2 million in just days. Online, the story sparked humor and admiration."She's the first person brave enough to invite the whole country to dinner," one commenter wrote.

Local authorities are now reportedly considering a proposal from netizens to make Jan 11 an official "Hechuan Pig Slaughter Festival" to celebrate the region's hospitality and heritage.

Contact the writers at dengrui@chinadaily.com.cn