When Daidai realised her father was too old to slaughter two pigs for a traditional community feast in the run-up to Chinese New Year, she turned to social media.
She didn't want him to feel bad.
Can anyone help me? she asked on Douyin, China's version of TikTok. My father is old. I am worried that he can't handle these pigs.
Daidai, who's in her 20s, promised that those who came to their village, Qingfu, to assist would be treated to a pork banquet.
In rural Sichuan and Chongqing, large community meals are an important part of culture, featuring twice-cooked pork, steamed ribs, soup, and homemade liquor.
Let me hold my head up high in our village, she said.
Her appeal for help attracted more than a million likes, resulting in thousands flocking to the village, far outnumbering those needed for the task at hand.
Traffic jams brought roads in rural Chongqing to a standstill, with many coming from afar, leading to a nostalgic atmosphere reminiscent of Daidai's childhood when her family kept pigs.
The pig slaughter and the following mass banquet were streamed live, attracting over 100,000 viewers and prompting local tourism officials to add more pigs for the unexpected crowd.
This phenomenon highlighted a deep yearning among the Chinese populace for community and cultural continuity, rekindling connections that can sometimes feel neglected in today's fast-paced world.
Daidai expressed gratitude to all who attended, saying, For everyone who came, the feeling was like that of a big family. It was really warm, really healing and really meaningful. The event may pave the way for regular celebrations, connecting people while embracing cherished traditions.
