Matsu, an outlying island, made its grand debut, and the county government blessed 93 first-year high school students to usher in a new stage. (Provided by Lianjiang County Government)
Lianjiang County Niujiao's coming-of-age ceremony was grandly held on the afternoon of the 12th at Niujiao Wulinggong Temple in Nangan Township. This year, a total of 93 first-grade students and 89 parents participated, setting a new high in the number of participants in recent years. The event was unprecedented. The ceremony followed traditional ancient rituals, including thanking teachers for their kindness, thanking relatives for their kindness, and going around the temple and passing the stove. It not only inherited local etiquette and customs, but also expected young people to be grateful and brave to shoulder responsibilities. The atmosphere was solemn and warm.
Lianjiang County Magistrate Wang Zhongming, Commander of the Horse Defense Department Yin Changrong, Matsu High School Principal Xie Chongyao, Director of the Northern District of the Ministry of Agriculture's Agricultural and Food Administration Lin Chuanqi, Lianjiang County Assembly Vice Speaker Lin Mingyang, Councilor Cao Erzhang, Wulingong Temple Management Committee Chairman Cao Eryuan, Education Director Wang Limin, Culture Director Wu Xiaoyun, principals of many elementary and middle schools in the area, and local elders such as Cao Dianxiao and Chen Qiuhua were present to witness the important moments in the students' lives.
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In his speech, Wang Zhongming congratulated the students on reaching adulthood and encouraged everyone to remember the kindness of their parents in raising them, to be responsible for their own actions in the future and to carve out their own bright path. Cao Eryuan said that he hopes to pass on traditional culture through this and wishes everyone to grow up safely in the company of gods; Xie Chongyao encouraged students to absorb the meaning of the activity and not forget traditional values such as gratitude and cherishing blessings, moral character and filial piety.
"Making a child" means "passing the test" in Matsu language. It is a unique Matsu coming-of-age ceremony with deep cultural characteristics of Eastern Fujian. It originates from the belief in Lady Linshui. The event kicked off with the wedding ceremony in the morning, and the highlight of the coming-of-age ceremony in the afternoon was a lion dance and a salute to the teachers to express gratitude. Afterwards, the students sprinkled clean water on Taoist priest Chen Boru, then stepped across the stove, circled the temple three times, and received the seal of safety from Mrs. Linshui, symbolizing God’s blessing on their classmates’ safe growth. The chiefs and elders then crowned and hairpinted the students, presented them with rulers and lucky eggs symbolizing self-discipline, and replaced adult wine with water, wishing the students peace and success in the future. In the most touching part of "Thanks to Parents", students knelt down and offered tea, while parents presented certificates of passing and hugged their children. The scene was warm and touching.
This year’s event also extended four happy activities such as flower cutting, red buckets, Xi Niang singing, and cheers for Tianfushou. In the fun part, students made handmade turtle peaches and peace charms in Niujiao Village, wrote letters to themselves in three years, and took photos and clocked in. The Lianjiang District Procuratorate also set up stalls on site to enhance public awareness of anti-fraud and anti-bribery. The event ended successfully with a lively garden party and wonderful evening performances.
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The "Young Adult Ceremony" in Matsu, an outlying island, was grandly staged. County Magistrate Wang Zhongming and distinguished guests from all walks of life crowned 93 high school students, wishing the young people safe growth and ushering in a new stage. (Provided by Lianjiang County Government)
On the outlying island of Matsu, "Making a Rite of Passage" was grandly launched, and the Lianjiang District Prosecutor's Office set up stalls to strengthen anti-election bribery and anti-fraud propaganda. (Provided by Lianjiang District Prosecutor’s Office)
On the outlying island of Matsu, "Making a Rite of Passage" was grandly launched, and the Lianjiang District Prosecutor's Office set up stalls to strengthen anti-election bribery and anti-fraud propaganda. (Provided by Lianjiang District Prosecutor’s Office)
