Blacksmiths in the town of Nuanquan, China, throw molten metal in the air in a dangerous display of light and skill. It’s all part of the entertainment and celebration of the Da Shuhua festival, part of the New Year celebration.
Taking place on the 15th day of the New Year celebrations, the legendary Da Shuhua event sees resident blacksmiths hurl molten metal against a cold brick wall, generating a spectacular avalanche of sparks that engulfs the men as though they are standing in the middle of exploding fireworks.
The custom dates back approximately three centuries to a time when the town was full of metal workers. During the annual Lantern Festival, rich locals would set off fireworks as a means of ritually banishing demons. Meanwhile, poorer blacksmiths, who could not afford to purchase fireworks, took to throwing liquid metal instead.
As far as death-defying stunts go, molten metal beats fireworks almost every time. Read more about this festival and see many pictures at Scribol.
(Image credit: Flickr user Robert Berkowitz)
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