A heartfelt social media appeal from a concerned daughter in rural China has evolved into an unprecedented nationwide phenomenon, transforming a quiet village into a vibrant celebration of communal spirit and cultural tradition.
The extraordinary chain of events began on January 9 when Daidai, a resident of Qingfu village in Chongqing’s Hechuan district, posted a video on Douyin expressing concern about her elderly father’s inability to manage the family’s annual pig slaughter tradition. The 70-year-old man, like many aging villagers, found the physically demanding year-end ritual increasingly challenging without assistance.
Daidai extended an open invitation for helpers to participate in Paozhutang—a traditional pig slaughter feast that symbolizes Chinese New Year preparations. This centuries-old custom involves community collaboration in every aspect, from handling livestock to preparing elaborate meals, culminating in shared feasting and distribution of fresh pork as gestures of goodwill.
What followed exceeded all expectations. Instead of the handful of neighbors Daidai anticipated, her video attracted nearly 500,000 engagements within 48 hours. By the weekend, Qingfu village experienced extraordinary gridlock with traffic stretching 10 kilometers as visitors arrived from distant provinces including Guangdong, bearing gifts as if reuniting with long-lost family.
The overwhelming response necessitated rapid scaling of preparations. The original two pigs proved insufficient, prompting neighbors and local cultural authorities to contribute three additional animals. Ultimately, five pigs were processed to feed a rotating crowd exceeding 3,000 participants.
The scene embodied chaotic harmony, with socioeconomic distinctions dissolving into collective effort. Observers noted Porsche owners washing dishes alongside mothers chopping vegetables and teams of young men handling the primary slaughtering tasks. The Yanzi catering team, led by 16-year veteran chef Jiang Xiaoyan, mobilized emergency resources, consuming over 500 kilograms of rice, 350 kg of oil, and truckloads of produce with estimated costs surpassing 100,000 yuan ($14,000).
Local government responded proactively, deploying traffic police and urban management personnel while integrating cultural elements including complimentary tickets to the historic Diaoyucheng Fortress and traditional molten iron fireworks displays.
The phenomenon has propelled Daidai to social media stardom, with her follower count surging from hundreds to over 2 million. Online commentary has celebrated both her initiative and the resulting demonstration of national solidarity, with one observer noting: ‘She’s the first person brave enough to invite the whole country to dinner.’
In the aftermath, authorities are considering formal recognition of the event through an annual ‘Hechuan Pig Slaughter Festival’ on January 11, potentially institutionalizing this remarkable display of cultural preservation and communal generosity.