Thai student discovers her heritage through folk dance

She left her job as a kindergarten teacher to focus on the team's revival in 2011. That passion was evident in every interaction.

"My teammates take turns helping me with childcare. Yingge dance is part of my life — I even dream about it," said team member Zhou Yixiang while gently rocking her five-month-old baby in a stroller.

Six-year-old Huang Kexin eagerly demonstrated the snake-dance moves she had just learned, hopping and twirling with a delightful burst of playful energy.

Meanwhile, 11-year-old Lin Yahan patiently taught Raemee how to grip the Yingge hammer properly, while her twin sister nodded in encouragement.

During the recently concluded Spring Festival holiday, homestay tourism flourished across China. Shantou, a key city in Chaoshan known for its rich New Year traditions, saw bookings soar 13-fold from last year. Lion dance, Yingge dance and other traditional performances have become festival favorites.

Raemee has family roots in Chaoshan — her father is an overseas Chinese descendant. For her, Yingge dance serves as a bridge between Chinese and Thai cultures. In fact, many in Thailand are already familiar with the dance.

In early 2023, a Thai Yingge team's electrifying performance at a shopping mall in Thailand went viral, and later that year, the Yingge cultural exchange group from Thailand visited Chaoshan to engage with local dancers.

This year, Yingge dance teams from Shantou have also been invited to perform on multiple overseas stages for Spring Festival celebrations.

Organized by the Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangdong province, the 25-member Yingge team toured Germany and France from Jan 28 to Feb 4. They performed in cities like Hanau, Frankfurt, Paris and Lyon, sharing the vibrant charm of Yingge dance.

Studying international Chinese education at Shantou University, Raemee deeply admires the dedication and enthusiasm of Yingge performers.

"One of my goals in coming to China was to explore the traditions my ancestors once lived by. Yingge has expanded my understanding of Chaoshan and Chinese culture while revealing the cultural ties between China and Thailand," she said.

Xinhua