New Delhi: An old tradition of the Zhuang community living in the southern part of China is in discussion these days. Colourful balls decorated with embroidery i.e. ‘Shichu’ were once a special medium to convey the message of love between young men and women. In films and old stories, it was shown in such a way that the girl used to throw the ball from the balcony and the young man who caught it became her husband. However, the actual tradition was much more interesting and different.
Could one really marry a young man who catches the ball?
Actually this did not happen every time. In this tradition prevalent in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the ball was a symbol of love and affection. Traditionally, young men and women would meet each other during festivals and if a girl liked a young man, she could toss him an embroidered ball. Accepting the ball was considered a sign of interest in the relationship.
What does this custom have to do with films?
The story of choosing a husband by throwing a ball from the balcony was made quite popular in Chinese literature and films. In such stories, the ball was presented as a symbol of love, destiny, and choosing one’s own choices beyond social constraints. For this reason, a belief was created among the general audience that in ancient China, girls used to throw a ball into the crowd and choose as their husband only the young man who caught it.
When was this tradition practiced in the Zhuang community?
The tradition of embroidered balls was especially common during traditional festivals. Even today, the tradition of ball tossing is part of cultural events and festivals in the Guangxi region of China. It is especially related to the folk culture of the Zhuang community. Over time, its old form related to love and marriage has changed, but the tradition has retained its place as a cultural identity.
What is this special embroidered ball?
‘Shuchu’ does not look like a normal ball. It is made by hand from colourful cloth and silk threads. The ball is embroidered with flowers, birds and geometric shapes. The traditional ball consisted of several pieces of fabric joined together to form a round shape and decorated with ribbons and tassels. Its beauty also reflected the craftsmanship of the woman who made it.
Why were the balls filled with seeds and other things?
Traditional embroidered balls were filled with seeds or other light material. There was difference in their size and design in different areas. The colour of the ball and the shapes made on it have also been associated with auspiciousness and love. In this way, it was not just an object of play or entertainment but also contained within itself the tradition of folk beliefs and handicrafts.
Does the tradition of choosing a life partner with a ball continue even today?
In today’s times, throwing an embroidered ball is not a formal process of directly choosing a life partner for a young man. It is mainly used in cultural programmes, traditional games, festivals and as a decorative item. In the Guangxi region of China, it is still seen as a symbol of the folk heritage and identity of the Zhuang community.
Why is this tradition special?
The story of the embroidered ball is also interesting because in it handicraft, folk culture and expression of love are seen together. In olden times, it gave an opportunity to young men and women to express their preferences. Today, even though its old meaning of arranging marriage has changed to a great extent, the identity of ‘Xichu’ still remains in the cultural heritage of the Zhuang community.
