Baba Lanterns in Nan'an

The Nan'an "Baba Lanterns" (Pulling Lanterns) tradition originates from the ancient practice of boat trackers pulling boats along the river. They artistically transformed the actual scene of tracking and pulling boats into a recreational activity, vividly recreating the spectacular sight of the Yingxi boat trackers rowing against the current and battling nature.

Every year on the evening of the ninth day of the first lunar month, various villages in the Yingxi river basin of Nan'an, Fujian, hold a unique "Ba Deng" ceremony. The entire event starts around 6 PM and lasts until after 10 PM. The "Ba Deng" ceremony includes a series of steps such as offerings to heaven, worshiping deities, tying lanterns, gathering lanterns, starting the procession, shedding the shell, paying respects to ancestors, welcoming the lanterns, returning to the temple, and reporting the lanterns. From the sacrifices to the Jade Emperor to the preparation and parade of lanterns, and then to the commemoration of ancestors and the village-wide celebration, the entire ritual is filled with reverence for nature, remembrance of ancestors, and beautiful wishes for future life.