xiaoshan performers combine soccer with folk dancing
dancers play cuju, an ancient form of soccer, in hangzhou. [photo/hangzhou daily]
the dance show cuju by the xiaoshan cultural center recently won a gold award at a municipal folk dance exhibition in hangzhou, east china's zhejiang province.
according to the xiaoshan cultural center, the performance was inspired by the women from the song dynasty (960-1271) who played cuju, an ancient form of soccer.
the sport first appeared in the warring states period (475-221 bc) and was played in the army as part of military training during the han dynasty (202 bc-220 ad).
during the song dynasty, women were allowed to compete in front of royals.
a painting shows women playing cuju in the song dynasty. [photo/zhejiang daily]
local authorities in xiaoshan district said that the performance was created to celebrate the city's traditions as well as its hosting of several competitions of the upcoming asian games.
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