Beijing Customs Folktale (Beijing Dialect)
by Brisa from Beijing
English Translation:
Hello, everyone. I’m Brisa from Beijing. I’m a local Beijinger! Now, when you listen to my accent, you might don’t sense any Beijing-like qualities. However, once I chat with you, my accent will change. I will tell you a short Beijing folk-tale in a minute. It’s shame that a lot of songs and rhymes from Beijing are now lost. You could only sense a uniquely Beijing language in some of our cultural shows or the Spring Festival Gala. When I was a kid, my grandparents told me that their grandparents were painters in the Beijing’s Forbidden City. Therefore, our family were Manchu people who worked for the previous emperor. Manchu is an ethnic identity and a social status. Later on, after some historical events, my family became members of the Han Chinese ethnic community. However, I still know some of Beijing’s stories and history. Today, I’m going to tell a Beijing folk-tale for everyone. When I was a kid, I always read this story.
Child, child, don’t be greedy.
Chinese New Year is coming after the Laba Festival.
Drink Laba congee for a few days.
A few days later, it will be December 23rd.
On December 23rd , we send away the Kitchen God.
On December 24th, we tidy up our home.
On December 25th, we make frozen tofu.
On December 26th, we buy meat.
On December 27th, we kill a rooster.
On December 28th, we let dough rise.
On December 29th, we steam buns.
On December 30th, we stay awake all night.
On 1st January, we gather in the streets.
This is a folk song about Beijing’s traditional customs.
Beijing Rhyme (Beijing Dialect)
by Brisa from Beijing
English Translation:
I always play a game with kids. Two kids clap their hands together.
Then, they say:
Xi xi xi. Sai sai sai. Sai sai sai.
You clap once. I clap once.
A kid is flying an airplane.
You clap twice. I clap twice.
Two kids are tying their hair.
You clap three times. I clap three times.
Three kids are eating biscuits.
You clap four times. I clap four times.
Four kids are writing in big characters.
You clap five times. I clap five times.
Five kids are playing a big drum.
You clap six times. I clap six times.
Six kids are eating a pomegranate.
You calp seven times. I clap seven times.
Seven kids are playing a slide.
You clap eight times. I clap eight times.
Eight kids are blowing horns.
You clap nine times. I clap nine times.
Nine kids are holding hands together.
You calp ten times. I clap ten times.
Ten kids are learning knowledge.
Actually, the lyrics have changed over time. This game has different versions, so I showed one that I think is quite catchy and sounds good.
Also, when I was little, I always played games with other kids. We would hold each other’s hands, and pull back and forth.
Then we would say:
Pull a big saw.
Pull a big saw.
Grandma’s singing opera in front of the door.
To meet her daughter, and welcome her son-in-law.
Say a child’s name here.
For example, Cherry also wants to go see.
Grandma doesn’t let her go
Angry Cherry is farting!
This folktale is easy for kids to understand.