May 4 saw the opening of 2023 Leizu Cultural Tourism Festival held by the Hubei Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, Yichang Municipal People’s Government, together with Yichang Culture and Tourism Bureau and Yuan’an County People’s Government at the Leizu Cultural Park of Yuan’an County. At 9:00 a.m., the worship ceremony for Leizu commenced, followed by the Leizu Folk Custom Performance as National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

　　Leizu, the wife of Huangdi Emperor, one of the earliest ancestor of the Chinese Nation, was honored as the “Mother of China”, and for thousands of years, Yuan’an people have been following the custom of worshiping her and carried on her spirit from generation to generation. From the folk custom to the Leizu Cultural Tourism Festival officially held, Leizu worshiping has become a comprehensive folk culture feast. With the rites of sacrifice as its core, the culture of Leizu worship custom in Yuan’an is listed in the third batch of the National Intangible Cultural Heritages approved by the State Council. (Photo by Correspondent/Yuan Xuan)