See-saw jumping and swinging are the two sports most favored among the women of the Korean ethnic group in North China, especially popular in Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture, Jilin Province.
Ⅰ. See-saw Jump (Tiaoban)
To see-saw jump means to jump using a springboard. See-saw jumping contests are popular among the women of the Korean ethnic group and are usually held during traditional holidays and festivals.
Usually a springboard is about 6 meters (19.7 feet) long, 0.4 meters (1.3 feet) wide and 0.05 meters (1.97 inches) thick and made of a tough, springy wood. The board is mounted upon a pivot like a see-saw and two people stand at either end. As one jumps down, the opposite end of the board projects the other player high into the air. While in the air the players will either remain in an upright position or perform spins, back flips or other feats of dexterity and daring. With each rebound, the contestants reach higher and higher into the air - a feat that requires perfect timing, skill and courage.
Ⅱ. Swinging (Qiuqian)
Swinging, called Qiu Qian in Chinese, first originated in the minority groups of northern China, and spread into Central China during the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476BC).
The Korean people are particularly expert at swinging. The participants perform acrobatics and exercises of strength and dexterity while using ropes, often quite high above the ground.
During the festivals they wear fine clothes and decorate the swings as beautifully as possible. The thick ropes are tied on horizontal branches of large trees. Bold and uninhibited people will then hang a ribbon, a drum or a ring above and in front of the swing so that players have to swing up to reach them. Enthusiastic onlookers greet the high flying, graceful and daring performers with cheers and applause.
