In the quiet villages of Anshun, Guizhou province, the rhythmic clanging of gongs and drums cuts through the air. This is Dixi (地戏), or “ground opera“—a vibrant, 600-year-old tradition that defies convention by refusing to use a formal stage. Instead, open fields and village squares become the backdrop for an awe-inspiring spectacle. Performers don elaborately carved wooden masks and simple robes, wielding wooden swords as they enact ancient historical and mythological tales.

But Dixi is more than just folk theater. The ancient art form is deeply rooted in ritual logic. When a performer puts on the mask, they’re igniting the spirits by acting out the role of a god or war deity. According to local belief, they are lending their physical body to the deity to command armies and vanquish evil spirits—it’s kind of like being possessed for the greater good. For centuries, this sacred art was strictly the domain of seasoned elders. Today, however, a new generation is keeping time to the ancient gongs.

Enter Zhou Shun, a 20-year-old performer from Tianlong Village. He may be a kid who laughs easily when the mask is off, but with the mask on, he transforms into a fierce war deity. Coming from a lineage of Dixi performers, Zhou has been practicing for 11 years. As a member of the local Yanwutang troupe, he represents a growing movement of post-00s youth stepping into this ancient heritage.

Naturally, there’s friction when modern youth culture intersects with a rigid 600-year-old tradition. But out of this tension emerges something beautiful: two generations meeting halfway. Young inheritors like Zhou are adopting the rigorous disciplines of their ancestors while infusing the art with fresh, youthful energy. Six hundred years on, the gong is still ringing—and it’s Gen Z who is ensuring the show goes on.

All images via Xiaohongshu.