Life of Guangzhou - Nansha Datang: Crouching Tigers, Hidden Dragons

This small village has a long history of practicing kongfu and each individual has his or her speciality.(Guangzhou Daily)

Awards the village has won.(Guangzhou Daily)

After a horse stance and a breath-holding technique called the “claw”', the quarterstaff handled by a 75 year-old man is unable to move. His opponent is a 62 year-old man and together their are exhibiting local kongfu techniques. This took place yesterday in a small village called Datang, a few kilometers away from Nansha Gymnasium.

This small village has a long history of practicing kongfu and each individual has his or her speciality. “Most people here are able to show some kongfu”, explains Mr. Li, the 75-year old man mentioned above, who is one of the kongfu masters in the village. Originally taught in self-defense, it has now become a tradition and a way to stay fit. Young villagers interested in kongfu are trained by the elders all year round and on the first day of the Lunar New Year, a grand presentation is held in front of the entire village.

In the center of the old village hall hangs a large Chinese character which reads “Wu” (Kongfu). Villagers explain that Datang was built during the Song Dynasty (A.D.960-A.D.1279), and that kongfu started being practiced in the village during the Ming Dynasty (A.D.1368-A.D.1644). “There were many kongfu clans in the village, but they all belonged to the southern fist,” refering to a style of martial arts unique to South China.

(By Robert Wang, David Keyton)