On New Year's Eve, every household should build a tower in front of the courtyard with large pieces of coal, which is called Wanghuo, in order to be auspicious and congratulate the prosperity all year round. There was firewood in it, and a big red note was written on it, "Spirit is soaring". At midnight, when firecrackers are ringing, light a strong fire. After being ignited, the flame spouted from countless small holes, just like a floating picture, which is both warm and spectacular.
Adults and children gather in a circle, some play games, some set off firecrackers, and men, women and children will come to keep warm in order to "soar". Children can also walk up and down the street, observing and commenting on the size of the fire. Whoever has a big fire is prosperous, and whoever has a strong spirit. As the Qing Dynasty's "Datong County Records" said: "On the first day of the New Year's Day, every family cuts firewood and bases, which looks like a small floating picture." Send it in time, called Wanghuo, which means Dada Fire in the provincial capital.
Datong people eat fried cakes at weddings, funerals, round locks and opening ceremonies. Cake, the moral is: high promotion and wealth, high taste, high official and generous. These are all good wishes related to height. Cake is the most exquisite food. Only when the host thinks you are a VIP, the distinguished guests will make fried cakes for you.
On February 2, the dragon looked up, which is one of the main folk customs in Datong.
On the second day of the second lunar month in Datong, early in the morning, every household put money into the teapot according to the amount of dragon money for water control in that year. The so-called dragon money for water control refers to how many dragons are used to control water on the first day of the first lunar month; Then, it is to use the money of the water dragon to predict the quality of a year.
Every household carries a pot to draw water from the well, fills it up, sprinkles it, stops at the door of the house, and pours the remaining water and money into the water tank together. This is called "dragon money". At noon, every household eats noodles or potato vermicelli, which is called "picking the dragon's tail". On this day, men, women and children have to trim their hair, which is called "the dragon looks up".
One of Datong customs, the birth custom
In Datong area, after the baby is born, grandparents must send clothes, bedding, pillows, shoes and socks to the newborn baby. When the child is born 12 days, women among relatives and friends will come to visit the child's mother, which is called "inquiring". It is necessary to bring some gifts such as brown sugar, dried noodles and cakes to express condolences to the parturient. There should also be a light meal at the maternal home to entertain guests.
During childbirth, outsiders are forbidden to enter the delivery room, especially men from other families. In order to prevent anyone from trespassing, a red cloth strip is hung on the door, indicating that there are parturients at home and outsiders are not allowed to enter. Before the full moon, the baby's parents or other elders should give the baby a name. At first, it should have a "baby name", also called a "nickname", and should be called instead of a surname.
In a few days, a new name will be given, also called "official name", which will be linked to the surname, and then registered for school use. One month after the baby is born, parents should give it a "full moon", a hundred days as a "hundred days" and the first anniversary as a birthday. When celebrating the "full moon", "centenary" and birthdays, parents' relatives and friends should bring gifts to celebrate and hold a banquet to entertain guests.
Now the number of only children is the largest. Babies will solemnly celebrate their "full moon", "centenary" and birthdays, and some even entertain guests. When the child reaches the age of 12, it will be celebrated. It is called "round lock".