Reporters from Guangxi News Network reported that in mid-November, the villagers of Banliu Hamlet, Meili Village, Tubo Town, Liuzhou County learned that in order to wash away "bad luck", the hamlet had decided to raise money to invite Taoist priests to conduct a village cleansing ceremony. In no time, news about the cleansing of Banliu Hamlet spread across Tubo Town. Villagers working in Liuzhou City and other cities also received notices asking them to return home for the cleansing ceremony from the 19th to the 21st. On November 20, reporters disguised as ginger merchants renting land entered Banliu Hamlet located at the foot of a mountain. At that time, the village cleansing was reaching its critical stage, with a bustling scene throughout the village.
A "caution line" was set up at the entrance of the hamlet. Around 7 am, reporters arrived at Tubo Town in Liuzhou County. A noodle stall owner confirmed the news that Banliu Hamlet would soon be "sealed off," as villagers coming to the market were all talking about it. Hearing someone inquire about the sealing-off, a woman buying medicine nearby said, "It hasn't been sealed yet." Upon further inquiry, she turned out to be a villager from Banliu Hamlet. Knowing that the reporters were heading to Banliu Hamlet on business, the townsfolk reminded them not to enter if the village was sealed.
The special arrangements at the entrance of the hamlet made the reporters stop in their tracks. Hanging on the nearly 4-meter-high gate were two large red lanterns, and the edges of the gate were decorated with freshly picked pine branches. To the left of the gate, a guardhouse about two square meters in size was taking shape. The colorfully covered tent, along with several chairs and a charcoal fire, completed the structure. A "caution line" tied to bamboo poles extended from the gate to the distance, with a red plastic bag tied every few meters.
Seeing a woman carrying a bucket towards the entrance, the reporter quickly asked if strangers could enter the village. The woman replied, "I'm not sure." It wasn't until an old man confirmed, "The village will be sealed tomorrow," that the reporter felt confident enough to enter.
Everyone was busy with the "village cleansing."
At the edge of the bamboo forest near the entrance, faint sounds could be heard from within the hamlet. Following the sounds, the reporter walked towards the residential houses. Strangers entering the village drew only a quick glance from the villagers who then continued with their tasks.
After passing by five or six households, the reporter arrived at the village's altar. On the square-shaped altar stood a stone about 40 centimeters high, with a bamboo pole nearly one meter tall placed beside it. On top of the bamboo pole was a bamboo container holding an oil lamp. Around the altar, traces of exploded firecrackers were still visible. To the right of the altar, a "single room" built with rainproof cloth caught the eye. Lifting the corner of the cloth revealed drums, Taoist robes, incense sticks, hanging paintings, and more. A villager explained that this was a specially prepared "room" for the Taoist priest, who had been busy all night on the 19th and was now having breakfast.
Taking advantage of the opportunity to warm oneself by the fire, the reporter entered a residential house used for writing blessings. In the center of the room stood a long table where several men dressed in black were writing talismans. The characters on the yellow Taoist talismans were difficult to identify, but the words "Land Prosperity and Wealth God Position" on the red gauze were clearly visible. Watching several villagers patiently organizing the finished talismans, passersby occasionally stopped to watch for a few minutes. The villagers said that these talismans would be used during the Taoist priest’s rituals.
The "village cleansing" has a series of rules.
Around 10 am, upon learning that the reporter was looking for land to grow ginger, a pair of elderly people dining warmly welcomed the reporter into their home. Afterwards, the elderly couple chatted with the reporter about the "village cleansing" in Banliu Hamlet.
The elderly man said that the "village cleansing" was scheduled for three days from the 19th to the 21st. On the morning of the 19th, villagers working in Liuzhou City and various counties gradually returned to the hamlet, and many villagers working outside also came back.
The elderly man emphasized that there were restrictions on who could participate in the "village cleansing." According to the hamlet's regulations, outsiders and women who have married out are not allowed to enter during the "sealing-off" period and will be stopped by the gatekeepers. If anyone forces their way in, the "village cleansing" must start over, and the intruder must compensate for the "village cleansing" fee, which can amount to tens of thousands of yuan. After the village is sealed for 13 days, outsiders and sons-in-law can enter; women who have married out can return after 36 days.
During the casual chat, the elderly man's daughter and son-in-law returned. The son-in-law said that although the "village cleansing" was a major event for the entire hamlet, there wouldn't be a grand feast. Each household would buy items themselves to entertain relatives returning from other villages. He and his wife had just bought 5 kilograms of pork from the town because the hamlet's rule stated that knives couldn't be used for three days during the "sealing-off," so they had to fry the pork with peanut oil in advance and then quickly cut it into pieces.
The villagers told the reporter that the sacrifice on the 19th lasted from the afternoon until late at night on the 20th, but this was only the first session, with another one to follow. During the initial ritual, the Taoist priest sought blessings for each household in the hamlet. Households whose turn it was to perform the ritual prepared offerings such as fruit cakes, rice, incense candles, and set off fireworks. Additionally, they gave the Taoist priest "lucky money," which could be 3.6 yuan, 7.2 yuan, or more.
When the reporter visited an elder surnamed Wei, he found the elder crouching busily by the wall of the main house. Upon inquiry, it was learned that the elder was digging a hole. According to the Taoist priest's "instructions," each household had to dig a hole about 20 centimeters deep under their stove platform, with the opening about an adult's palm width away from the wall. After the hole was dug, a goose egg would be placed inside a dedicated small porcelain jar, then covered. When asked why a goose egg was used instead of a chicken egg, the elder explained that the Taoist priest was giving them a "dragon installation," as geese could swim in water like dragons, whereas chickens couldn't.
The elders of the village revealed the reason for the "village cleansing."
The elders said that in recent years, many unfortunate events had occurred in the hamlet, including car accidents and murders, especially among the young people in the hamlet, which made the elders very uneasy. To get rid of the "bad luck," everyone in the hamlet decided to contribute 18 yuan each for the "village cleansing."
A village cadre informed the reporter that Banliu Hamlet currently has over 100 households, with a permanent population of about 600 people. Including those who returned to participate in the "village cleansing," the current population of the hamlet is approximately 1000 people. Elders in the hamlet recalled that the last "village cleansing" in Banliu Hamlet was in 1945, when the entire village had only 20 households.
At around 11 am, when the reporter left Banliu Hamlet, they noticed that the number of vehicles parked in the hamlet had significantly increased. Two new small stone lions had been erected on both sides of the village gate, and the villagers were gathered around the lions discussing something. Although the villagers respected rural customs and did not oppose the "village cleansing," some villagers believed that the "village cleansing" somewhat affected their normal lives and production. Related theme articles: Gang steals ashes of the dead and extorts money from family sentenced