Tickling, lifting

The scratching and lifting are folk dances that reflect the scene of ancient farmers celebrating the harvest by putting their heads on their necks to show family joy. According to legend, as early as 300 years ago, there were scratches and lifts in this area. The scratching is to tie an upright iron rod on the shoulder and back of a strong man, about meters high. There is an iron seat on the top of the iron rod, and a child with makeup is tied to the iron seat; some iron rods are divided into two forks. There are two children wearing makeup tied to the seats. The person on the iron seat is called "the scratcher", and the strong man below is called the "base". When performing,. "Nao Ren" is played by a five or six-year-old child, both male and female. According to folk tales or opera stage characters, they are made up into the form of the golden girl, the two immortals of Hehe, the green snake snake, Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai/base" are mostly played by young people A strong man plays the role, wearing colorful clothes and makeup according to his ugly behavior. The lifting is to tie several iron rods to a base that is 8 meters long and 6 meters wide. The iron poles are about 2 meters high. There are iron seats at the top of the iron rods. There are children in makeup tied to the iron seats. It is called "lifting". "Man" is carried by eight young adults, and the empty space on the base is surrounded by cloth with various patterns painted on it. During the performance, the "bearers" are also dressed up like the characters on the opera stage, just like the "catchers". The people below are also dressed in colorful clothes and dressed up like clowns. The key to the performance art of scratching lies in the kung fu on the "base". The "base" must press the base of the feet firmly, straighten the waist, use strength on the ankles and waist, and swing the arms back and forth, in order to make the "sticking" on the iron pole People's colorful clothes and streamers flutter left and right, just like gods in the sky. The performers change their steps and formations according to the changing rhythm of gongs and drums. The graceful movements and changing patterns often make the audience dizzy and full of praise. In the past, during the Lantern Festival or major temple fairs in the Datong area, Nao She and Li She were popular programs in the cultural and artistic activities. The majority of the audience once gave high evaluations, "Dongguan Nao She, Nanguan Dragon, Siyi The sedan chair is the most famous, and the stilts in Beiguan cover Datong."