As 2026 peeks around the corner, a Dong ethnic village tucked in Guizhou Province is filling the air with the mouthwatering aroma of freshly made ciba — a glutinous rice cake cherished during the New Year season. 🍚✨
Traditionally pounded by hand using sticky rice and millet, these seasonal treats once stayed within the mountain valleys. Recently, villagers have taken to livestreaming and online shops to showcase their time-honored techniques, tapping into a global audience right from their rustic kitchens. 🎥💻
Local authorities in the Chinese mainland have been cheering on this digital shift, encouraging villagers to weave traditional culture into e-commerce. Through short videos and livestreams, residents share snippets of village life, ethnic customs, and handicraft skills — a fresh way to keep intangible cultural heritage alive. 🌐🏔️
This online boost is more than a trend: it’s a lifeline for local communities, creating new income streams and inspiring young people to value their roots. Who knew a rice cake could bridge mountains and screens? 💰❤️
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
