The Hetou Village Women's Dragon Dance Team prepares for their performance. [Photo/Ningbo Daily]

A vibrant tradition is thriving in Jiulonghu town, Ningbo, Zhejiang province, as local women prepare for a spectacular dragon dance performance to mark the upcoming Longtaitou Festival.

On Feb 26, members of the Hetou Village Women's Dragon Dance Team were hard at work rehearsing for the upcoming traditional Chinese celebration symbolizing renewal and prosperity. With an average age of around 40, many of these women have been practicing the dragon dance for over a decade, showing impressive skills and precision.

Longtaitou Festival, or Dragon-Head-Raising Festival, falls on the second day of the second lunar month. This year it falls on March 1. This festival marks the symbolic awakening of the dragon, which is believed to bring prosperity and good luck for the coming year. Dragon dance performances are an essential part of the celebration, honoring the dragon's power and significance in Chinese culture.

Jiulonghu town is home to 14 dragon dance teams, including three school-based teams where children learn and perform it. These teams practice regularly, honing both fundamental skills and advanced techniques.

Throughout the year, the town organizes competitions and performances during traditional festivals, allowing the teams to demonstrate their talent and continue to pass down this cherished cultural tradition to future generations.

The average age of the members of the Hetou Village Women's Dragon Dance Team is around 40. [Photo/Ningbo Daily]