A one kilometer long line of cars parking at the entrance of the village, several hundreds of dining tables arranged around the ancestral temple, thousands of people getting together...these are classic scenes of “Dengjiu”, a special party in Shunde. From the sixth day of the first month in the lunar year to the Lantern Festival, these scenes can be seen everywhere in Shunde.

History about “Dengjiu”

"Dengjiu" is a feast to celebrate having a baby boy. This custom started at the end of Ming Dynasty and retained completely in Shunde. “Deng” has the similar sound like “Ding”(means a boy in Chinese). Lighting up a lantern means the continuation of the family line. Families which have a newborn baby last year, will light up a lantern this year. The father will buy an octagonal lantern, hanging in the ancestral temple to pray for happy and healthy growth of the newborn baby.

Lanterns will be hung at home, land-temple and different ancestral temples on the sixth day of the first month in the lunar year, meaning that this family has a new baby. On the surface of the lantern, there will be some painted flowers and colorful paper cuts. A saucer filled with peanut oil will be hung inside and the oil will be lighted all day long, symbolizing a strong vitality. 　 

A relatives and friends gathering

Previously, people held this party on the 11th day of the first month in the lunar year. The family with newborn baby brought ginger and eggs to visit grand father. Then the grand father invited all females in the family to have a dinner together, sharing pork, ginger and eggs together, and gave the newborn baby a red packet in return.

Nowadays, “Dengjiu” becomes a custom to memorize the traditional culture of Shunde and maintain the family and friendship.

Several days before the party, a sign will be posted in the village, asking villagers to buy tickets and join the party. When the day comes,  ancestral temples will be full of people. People who go out for work and relatives from Hongkong and Macao will come back. Now “Dengjiu” has become the biggest collective activities in some villages.

At 7 o’clock in the evening, the party begins when the first course of the dinner is placed on the table. Although the dinner does not have too much delicacies, the names of dishes highlight the joyous themes. "Rich Buddhas Delight”(富贵罗汉斋), "Make fortunes at all seasons "(四季有大财)...every dish has its own wish for a happy life.

Lantern bidding

As a big event of the party, lantern bidding will be held during the banquet. Villagers will bid for lanterns which named after joyous names, such as “business flourishes ”(生意兴隆), "baby bonus”(添丁发财) and “smooth sailing”(一帆风顺).

Crackers will be fired at the beginning and the end of the bidding. The host will walk around and persuade people to bid lanterns. In general, the starting price is 3888 yuan ($566). The bidder will offer a price with lucky number like 6888 yuan ($1003), 8888 yuan ($1294) or 13888 yuan ($2023). The first lantern will be the most popular one because everyone wants to be the champion. Lanterns with joyous names like “business flourishes ”(生意兴隆) and “baby bonus”(添丁发财) can also be sold for a high price. Bidders not only want to get good luck, but also thank villagers and relatives and pay back society. The proceeds will go to the village’s charity activities.

Dear guys, do you want to have a try this year?