Huolong Firework Ceremony at Qiaolin, Jieyang City, China: Self-Identity and Representation in the Context of National Intangible Cultural Heritage

Abstract

This study is a comprehensive examination of the Huolong Firework ritual of the Lin clan, a prominent community in Jieyang City, Guangdong, China. It explores the process through which local folk activities have evolved into a national intangible cultural heritage. The study delves into how the Lin clan constructs its identity and representation through ritual, encompassing both daily life and ceremonial expressions. The research highlights the close relationship between self-identity and representation, which reflects varying expression needs in different historical contexts. As a result, this study holds significant academic value in the realm of identity and serves as a crucial database for the study of national intangible cultural heritage rituals. The chapter is structured into three main parts: the historical and cultural development of the Lin clan; the period before and after attaining intangible cultural heritage status; and the final part focuses on the Huolong Firework ceremony conducted by the Lin clan in 2023.