Huangshui town in southwest of Chengdu practiced the ritual of “whipping spring ox” on the arrival of the first solar term Beginning of Spring which fell on Feb. 4 this year.

The activity started in the morning with a prayer for favorable weather conditions, which was followed by a parade. Then a sculpture of an ox made of straws and bamboo was whipped by wickers as an emcee citing prayers for bump harvests, prosperity and wealth.

This custom reflects China’s profound farming culture, in which hard working farm cattle used to play an important role. It is still in practice in the town even though large numbers of local residents have departed from their farmer lives as the socioeconomic conditions changed dramatically.

The Huangshui town government started organizing the activity in 2015 together with the poem and couplet association of the Shuangliu district with the aim to promote folk culture.

Local resident Zhao Yong said that the event is getting more flares each year and reminds the locals of busy spring ploughing seasons used to be part of their lives.

Another local surnamed Guo said that she brought her children to join the event and learn that every single grain is the result of toil.