The grass dragon dance, a local custom in Nan'ao in Longgang District, was recently placed on a list of 78 intangible cultural heritage programs by the Guangdong government.

The dance, with more than 300 years of history, will be performed in Nan'an on Saturday to mark the first national cultural heritage day, which falls on the second Saturday in June. Residents of Nan'ao are busy preparing a grass dragon for the event. 
Legend has it that Mazu, the goddess of the sea, told people in Nan'ao 300 years ago that waving a dragon made by grass in the first night of the lunar year would ensure favorable weather for harvesting. Since then, the fishermen of Nan'ao have been making grass into the shape of a dragon at the beginning of every lunar year. While dancing with the grass dragon, they also set off fireworks.

The grass dragon is then ignited and burnt to ashes to ensure a calm sea and a good harvest of fish and shrimps in the coming year.

Guangdong cultural heritage resources range from herbal tea, art and drama to music and sports.

(Shenzhen Daily June 6, 2006)