The People's Government of YunCheng City
Ch
The Representative Project of National Intangible Cultural Heritage --- Wenxi Huamo
Issue time:2021-09-05

Wenxi Huamo (steamed bun), originated from the late slave society, is a widely-used art offering in folk activities such as sacrifices, weddings, festivals, birthdays, housewarmings, etc. It serves four series including adorned cake, Huamo (steamed bun), Mascot and Pandin (dough modelling) with over 200 kinds including Longfenggao (usually for new couple with the shape of dragon and phoenix), Sanyang Kaitai (for good luck in the new year with the shape of three sheep), Qilin Songzi (for hoping a smart child with the shape of children) are the most famous ones. Varied flowery steamed buns have their implied meanings related to the folk culture. For example, in the traditional wedding custom, the bridegroom’s family prepares special Huamo called Shangtougao as a gift for the bride’s family. It is made of flour with over twenty jin (a unit of weight =1/2 kilogram). The base is a round shape with the diameter of 50 centimeters and 20 centimeters thick, which is wreathed by repeated a layer of red dates and a layer of dough, and the top part is kneaded with twelve kinds of flowers and various auspicious birds.

When the bridegroom pick up the bride from her home, the bride’s mother would cut and pack one piece from the base for the couple hoping her daughter would rooted and live well in her parents-in-law’s home. The rest parts would be cut into pieces which would be shared by the relatives and neighbors, which means the lucky bird (bride) has flied far away from her parents’ home.

Wenxi Huamo, as the living fossil of the local tradition, is deeply rooted in the daily life and enjoys great popularity.