On February 13th, performers from the Cloth Horse Dance team of Xiaxi Village, Huanggang Town, Raoping County, Chaozhou, made a vibrant appearance on the 11th episode of "Open Door to the Chinese New Year Gala" aired on the CCTV-3 (variety show). Dressed in colorful costumes and riding "cloth horses", the members of the team brought the "energy like a dragon and a horse" to the Year of the Horse, breathing new life into this folk art with a history spanning over 700 years.

Beyond captivating the audience with their heroic dance moves, the team also presented various local delicacies, including golden and plump Chaozhou Mandarins, aromatic braised Lion-headed goose, and festive Red Peach Kueh (rice cakes). These authentic "Chaozhou flavors" serve as an edible invitation, welcoming audiences nationwide to experience Chaoshan culture.

The Cloth Horse Dance, also known as the "Bamboo Horse Dance," originated in Jiucun, Xinfeng Town, Raoping, during the late Song and early Yuan dynasties, later spreading to areas like Xiaxi Village in Huanggang Town. With a history of over seven centuries, it integrates folk music, dance, and crafts. The dance often depicts the stories of female heroes such as Chen Biniang, Mu Guiying, and Hua Mulan, infusing the traditional art form with patriotic sentiment. In 2006, the Cloth Horse Dance was listed in the first batch of the Guangdong Provincial Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

In recent years, Raoping County has vigorously promoted the integration of the Cloth Horse Dance into contemporary life. The dance has become a highlight at the "Cultural Tourism and Food Festival" and half marathons. Through hand-painted intangible cultural heritage maps and themed postcards, the traditional dance has been transformed into tangible cultural and creative symbols. Since 2023, related activities have attracted nearly 1.5 million tourists and generated approximately 18 million yuan in cultural and tourism consumption, making intangible cultural heritage a "powerful boost" for rural revitalization.

潮州饶平布马舞跃上国家级舞台

2月13日，中央广播电视总台综艺频道（CCTV-3）第十一期《开门迎春晚》节目中，潮州市饶平县黄冈镇霞西村布马舞队队员们身着彩衣、跨骑“布马”登场，让流传700余年的民俗绝技在马年新春焕发“龙马精神”。

除了以飒爽舞姿征服观众，队员们还带来了金黄饱满的潮州柑、卤香四溢的狮头鹅、造型喜庆的红桃粿等特色美食。这些地道的“潮州味”，向全国观众递出了一张可品尝的潮汕文化请柬。

布马舞，又称“竹马舞”，宋末元初发轫于饶平新丰九村，后流播至黄冈霞西等地，至今已逾七百春秋。它集民间音乐、舞蹈、工艺于一身，多演绎陈壁娘、穆桂英、花木兰等女英雄故事，为传统舞蹈注入家国情怀。2006年，布马舞被列入第一批广东省非物质文化遗产名录。

近年来，饶平县大力推动布马舞嵌入当代生活。在“文化旅游美食节”、半程马拉松等文旅盛事中，布马舞是点睛之笔；手绘非遗地图、主题明信片，让传统舞蹈化为可亲可感的文创符号。2023年以来，相关活动累计吸引游客近150万人次，带动文旅消费约1800万元，非遗正成为乡村振兴的“加分项”。

文 | 记者 曾柯权 通讯员 饶宣
翻译丨陈冠臻
审校丨盛嘉