The Rhythm of Dance Steps~The Hallmark of Blessings~The Shenjiang Culture of Luzhou

Shenjiang Statue Exhibition

1.Motive and Purpose

Most people think Shenjiang statues only show up in temple activities. They think that people can only see them from a far distance and cannot bring them into their life. We have done so much promoting on campus but have only helped students learn and understand with words and pictures. Many people are still unclear about Shenjiang statues. Under these circumstances, and after discussing with teachers, we asked our director to ask the Hutian Temple and Mr. Liang-chuan Wang to bring Shenjiang statues to campus. This way, all students can meet the Shenjiang statues face-to-face. Without any distance, students can observe Shenjiang statues. We have also asked Mr. Wang to make an introduction. With stimulated eyes, ears, minds, and all the promotion our team has done on campus, we hope students from Lujiang Elementary School can develop more interest and understanding for Shenjiang culture.

2.Activity Procedure

On a beautiful afternoon, the Lujiang Elementary School campus is full of students’ screaming and happy laughter. People cannot hold their curiosity and want to take a look to see what is happening. On May 22, 2012, the Jinyan Shenjiang team borrows 7 Shenjiang statues from Hutian Temple, in order to break the distance between students and Shenjiang statues. Students do not need to stand very far in the crowd to view Shenjiang. These 7 statues include 6 large-sized statues and one small statue. The six large statues are Wuleitianyi, General Zhang, First Prince Jinzha, Second Prince Muzha, Huangfei Hu, King Tuota; the small statue is Third Prince Nazha. When the Shenjiang statues arrive at Lu Chiang campus’ entrance, their special sculpts attract students’ curiosity immediately. Many students surround the statues and watch. All statues are unloaded into the intersection of playground and Lujiang Hall. When all the statues are standing together, whether you look at them from near of far, they naturally send out a feeling of sacredness. Some of them open their big eyes and look prestige. Some of them have a bunched beard and look steady. Some of them show an amiable expression and look very friendly and respectful. In the beginning, we ask Master Liang-chuan Wang to simply introduce the names and background history about Shenjiang statues to students, and then explain the frames and accessories of the statues. Maybe Teacher Wang’s explanation is too professional; some students show confused faces. However, since all students can watch the statues very closely, they are very excited. I think this is very unusual to them.

After introduction, we begin the major activity. We invite the uncles, called “Feet of the Shenjiang statues,” to show students how to operate these statues. When these uncles lift up the statues and walk around the playground, students’ screaming and exciting laughing are all around. Everyone is very happy to watch. A student beside me keeps saying “So cool.” Many students imitate the walking gesture of Shenjiang statues, and make everyone laugh. Is it done yet? No, next comes the big part of the major activity. Just watching cannot satisfy students. Hutian Temple considerately prepared a smaller practice-statue for students to try on in person. When this is announced, everyone gets very excited, and strive to raise their hands to ask to try. Unfortunately, they cannot let everyone try this; otherwise this activity will not be done until tomorrow. They choose some students, and most of them are boys. When Third Prince Nazha is put on a student, everyone starts laughing very hard. Students who lift up the statue start to walk by imitating the uncles’ walk. This smaller statue does not look as solemn as the bigger statues, and looks pretty funny. I think this activity makes very good sense. Besides, students have the chance to meet Shenjiang statues face-to-face; their interest for Shenjiang are brought out. In the activity, every student is so happy to be a part of this, and are full of laughter. We are not sure how much more students understand the Shenjiang culture, but at least we know students are interested and no longer feel strange to the culture. Some Shenjiang statues are solemn, but some are very funny and humorous. We hope everyone can start to pay attention to this culture, so that Shenjiang statues can continue to show up at parades. This activity is very special. I think this is my first time watching Shenjiang statues so closely. I have clearly seen their faces and clothes.