11th Wurigong Festival of Hezhe ethnic group celebrated in NE China's Heilongjiang

Hezhe people wearing traditional costumes perform during the 11th Wurigong Festival of the Hezhe ethnic group in Fuyuan, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, July 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao) 

The festival kicked off in China's easternmost city Fuyuan on Sunday. Members of 15 teams from Beijing, Harbin, Jiamusi, Shuangyashan and other places took part in the event.

"Wurigong" means joy and celebration in the language of Hezhe ethnic group. Rooted in the traditional culture of Hezhe, the festival integrates elements in art, sports, language, food and handicraft etc.

Hezhe people wearing traditional costumes perform during the 11th Wurigong Festival of the Hezhe ethnic group in Fuyuan, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, July 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

Hezhe people wearing traditional costumes perform during the 11th Wurigong Festival of the Hezhe ethnic group in Fuyuan, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, July 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

Hezhe people take part in a boat race during the 11th Wurigong Festival of the Hezhe ethnic group in Fuyuan, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, July 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Shi Feng)

A Hezhe contestant takes part in a competition during the 11th Wurigong Festival of the Hezhe ethnic group in Fuyuan, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, July 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

Tourists look at fish-skin ornaments during the 11th Wurigong Festival of the Hezhe ethnic group in Fuyuan, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, July 2, 2023. The festival kicked off in China's easternmost city Fuyuan on Sunday. (Xinhua/Shi Feng)

Hezhe people wearing traditional costumes perform during the 11th Wurigong Festival of the Hezhe ethnic group in Fuyuan, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, July 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Shi Feng)

Hezhe people perform Yimakan, an oral art in the form of singing and speaking, during the 11th Wurigong Festival of the Hezhe ethnic group in Fuyuan, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, July 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

Students wearing Hezhe traditional costumes take part in the 11th Wurigong Festival of the Hezhe ethnic group in Fuyuan, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, July 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

Hezhe people wearing fish-skin costumes perform during the 11th Wurigong Festival of the Hezhe ethnic group in Fuyuan, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, July 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

Hezhe people take part in a wrestling competition during the 11th Wurigong Festival of the Hezhe ethnic group in Fuyuan, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, July 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)