Rowing the big oar is a traditional dance item in the fourth batch of representative items of Suzhou's municipal intangible cultural heritage. It is mainly spread in Taicang Liuhe, Fuqiao, Huangjing and Qianjing. Similar folk dances have also been found in Wujiang Jinjiaba and Wuzhong Xietang, which are called "Jiangnan Lake Boat". In the early 1930s, folk artists Yang Zhongmin and Li Baorong from Liujiagang, Taicang, were engaged in transportation in Yanggangjing at the junction of Jiangsu and Zhejiang. They saw the "land boating" program at the local temple fair, so they learned it and brought it back to their hometown, blending it with the local boat people's rowing movements, adding the content of men and women, and it became today's rowing big oar, which was spread among fishermen and boat people in the Liuhe area and became a local temple fair program. Later, because the sail boat was replaced by a motor boat, rowing the big oar was forgotten. It was not until 1983 that it was excavated and restored during the Suzhou folk dance census. Rowing the big oar was performed by 2 to 6 people at the temple fair. When there are two people performing, there is one person pulling the rope ("Mr. San") and one woman rowing the boat ("Sister Danghu"). The person pulling the rope is dressed as a clown or a scholar, and flirts with the boat girl. When there are three or four people performing, the person pulling the rope is a scholar, and one or two clowns ("jumping turtle bugs") are added to sing and tease in the middle. When there are six people performing, two more "hanging rope people" are added. During the performance, "Sister" and "Mr. San" stand side by side on the oars and row the boats. The "hanging rope people" pull the two ropes and lead the way in. The "jumping turtle bugs" move freely around the oars, sometimes jumping on the ropes. The actors make fun of each other. During the march, they must sing in every store they meet. The lyrics are composed and sung in a question-and-answer format according to the characteristics of the industry. "Sister" asks, everyone answers, and the "jumping turtle bugs" make corresponding movements. The store owner sets off firecrackers to welcome them. In the evening performance, the headdresses of the "big oar" and "Ajie" are decorated with small electric beads, which flash with colorful lights and look more beautiful. The performance of shaking the big oar is not complicated, but lively and funny. The "Danghu Ajie" wears a wide-sleeved, round-edged top, a long skirt, and embroidered shoes. With the right hand, she holds the middle of the oar tip, and with the left hand, she supports her waist, pushes the lever back and forth, steps forward sideways, and twists her hips. The "Three Gentlemen" wears a melon-shaped hat, a long gown and a jacket, and round-mouthed shoes. With the right hand, she holds the oar tip, and with the left hand, she holds the big oar steady, controls the direction, and moves in sync with the "Ajie". The "Tiao Bie Chong" wears a felt hat, a waistcoat, a belt, a sunflower fan in hand, and steps on the "square step" and "horizontal step". He twists his hips with an exaggerated amplitude, beats the fan to the rhythm, and moves around the big oar. The "Dang Bianren" wears a short jacket, a lace waistcoat, a belt, and short boots. Two people each pull a string, stand opposite each other, and follow the rhythm of the oars, one retreating and the other advancing. When advancing, they lean over and push the string down; when retreating, they lean back and pull the string up, dancing and advancing. The sculling is accompanied by flutes, xiao, erhu, jinghu, pipa, copper bells and wooden fish, and the melody is lively and brisk. The oars are made of bamboo and are about 3 or 4 meters long. Red silk balls are tied to the oar tips, and the oar handles and oar boards are wrapped with red silk. Two red silk ribbons are drawn out as oar ropes. The bottom of the oar is equipped with wooden wheels, which can roll when dragged on the ground. The sculling has distinct water town characteristics. It is a folk art formed in the life practice of local boatmen and fishermen. It reproduces their labor life and shows the style of rural market towns in history. It has certain historical and cultural value. The sculling is accompanied by singing and dancing, with unique dance postures, full of life interest and humor. The melody is lively and relaxed, with a brisk rhythm, and has a certain artistic value. (No pictures yet, welcome to provide.) (No pictures yet, welcome to provide.)