The multicultural and confluent folk customs of Fujian mainly originate from the aboriginal folk-custom before Qing Dynasty and Han Dynasty, the folk-custom of Han nationality, the custom of minority nationalities and the foreign customs. The confluence feature of Fujian folk customs is represented by the confluence of folk customs of different nationalities and different regions of the Han nationality, as well as the confluence of Chinese customs and foreign customs.  
 
Fujian is also the principal habitat of She nationality, of which the custom, featuring strong nationalistic styles, has become an important part of Fujian's folk customs. Furthermore, some customs of Mongolian (Yuan Dynasty) and Manchurian (Qing Dynasty) have also been integrated in folk customs of Fujian, while the costume of Hui'an Women, Hakka Tulou (building constructed with clay) and the habit of snake worship and carp protection are all special folk customs of Fujian.

Teas and the Art of Tea-Brewing in Fujian

In a country known world-wide for its tea, Fujian rates as one of China's top provinces when it comes to this popular beverage. This is not only because Fujian produces so many famous teas but also because of its well-developed arts of tea brewing and tea-tasting.

The rolling Wuyi Mountains in Fujian are characterised by their many strangely shaped peaks, which are usually enveloped in clouds and fog. One of China's highest grade teas - Wuyi Rock Tea (Wu Ih Yen Tea) - is produced in these mountains. As early as the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), this area was established as a Royal Tea Garden to produce tea to offer as tribute to emperors. From the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) on, this kind of tea began to be exported to Europe and America. Today Wuyi Rock Tea, which is produced in Tongmuguan in Chong'an County, is still an essential traditional drink of the British royal family.

Anxi County in southern Fujian produces another famous tea called Tieguanyin (Ti Kuan Yin), an age-old superior variety of Oolong Tea. Other well-known varieties include Bailin Congou Tea, Zhenghe Congou Tea and Tan yang Congou Tea, all produced on Taimu Mountain in eastern Fujian, Tianshan Green Tea produced in Ningde County, Qijingtang Green Tea produced in Luoyuan County, and jasmine tea (a favourite with people in northern China) produced in the surrounding areas of Fuzhou City.

The coastal Sanjiang (or Three "Jiangs"- Minjiang, Jinjiang and Jiulongjiang) Plain in the centre of the province is an alluvial plain, and is both fertile and populous. Since ancient times, numerous famous personages and scholars have come from this area. They were generally well off men of leisure, so after they finished teaching or writing, they would choose a top-quality tea, brew it with great care and savour it slowly. Over the generations, their experience in mastering the secrets of tea brewing was passed down and tea brewing became an art in its own right.

In tea-brewing, every aspect of the process is essential: the selection of the tea, the type of water used, the temperature of the water, the tea set itself and the method of preparation. In Fuzhou one can visit what are called Tea Art Halls, where one can choose from a variety of teas and tea sets. In every hall there are resident tea-brewing masters, who will demonstrate to customers the different techniques for preparing the various kinds of tea. In this way one can be assured of getting the best possible results from their tea, while at the same time learn about the customs and rituals related to this age-old tradition.

Shoushan Stone Carving

Shoushan stone is a kind of alabaster quarried from a mountain called Shoushan in the northern suburbs of Fuzhou. With a soft, smooth surface and variegated colours, this stone makes an ideal material for carving. We know from the sculptured stone pigs found in an ancient tomb from the Southern Dynasties that Shoushan stone carving has been in existence for some l,500 years.

The stone carvings of the later Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties were generally Buddha statues, incense burners, rosaries and funeral figurines. During the Yuan and Ming (1271-1644), Shoushan stone also came to be used for seal carving. Later, craftsmen excelled in various carving styles and many different schools were formed. Types of Shoushan stone carving now include circular, relief, openwork hollowed out, boyi (shallow relief) and marquetry carving. Top craftsmen are able to create wonderful images by utilizing the natural contours and fine streaks of colour in the stone.

Dehua Porcelain

West of Putian is Dehua County, where Dehua porcelain is produced. Known as one of the major porcelain capitals of China, Dehua's porcelain dates back to the Wei and Jin dynasties (220-420). During the Song Dynasty (960-1279) this industry reached its greatest prosperity, exporting products in large quantities.

Solid and smooth, Dehua porcelain is resistant to both heat and cold. One type of "Jianbai" porcelain in particular has a sparkle and lustre even more stunning than white jade. Its ivory-white colour and superb workmanship make it a favourite of art lovers.

Yongchun Lacquer Baskets

It is believed that lacquer basket making began as early as the reign of Emperor Zhengde (1506-1521) of the Ming Dynasty. Over the past four centuries this craft has reached its present state of perfection, and there are now over 100 varieties and four categories of lacquer baskets. The small ones are mostly used for storing jewellery, while people in southern Fujian and overseas Chinese use them as dowry containers.

Lacquer Painting

Building on the workmanship of bodiless lacquerware, Fuzhou's lacquer painting has developed into an art form in its own right. Although just over a decade old, it has already found great popularity. In lacquer painting the artist can depict a wide range of subjects and images such as human figures, flowers, birds, animals and landscapes. Screens and wall hangings are the major forms this art takes, and are often bought to decorate hotels, restaurants or villas.

In addition to the above, Fujian also produces paper umbrellas, lacquer thread carvings and paper-cuttings. Fujian's varied and beautiful arts and crafts play an important role in the province's cultural heritage, while also contributing greatly to the development of both foreign trade and tourism.

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