The Green Technology Confucius Institute (GTCI) at the University of Venda, recently successfully held its fifth Chinese Culture Salon under the theme ‘Bridges of Energy – Kungfu and Folk games Carnival’. This vibrant event skillfully combined Chinese martial arts (Kungfu) and traditional folk games, offering the UNIVEN community a dynamic, immersive experience of traditional Chinese philosophy and physical culture.
Martial Arts: Harmony of Yin and Yang
The event commenced with an engaging presentation by Ms Zhang Duo, Chinese language instructor at GTCI, who introduced the audience to the rich heritage and diverse schools of Chinese martial arts. Emphasising the philosophical concept of yin-yang balance central to Kungfu, Ms. Zhang provided cultural context before guiding participants through hands-on training sessions in two classic styles.
Wu Bu Quan (Five-Step Fist) – Participants practiced this foundational Kungfu routine, representing the yang (active) aspect of martial arts. Under guided instruction, they learned moves such as Bow Stance Punch, Snap Kick and Punch, Horse Stance Block-Strike, and Knee-Rise and Thread Palm—each designed to develop strength, rhythm, and coordination.
(Fist-and-Palm Salute)
(Rest Stance Cover-Punch and Crouch and Thread Palm)
Horse Stance Block-Strike and Empty Stance Lifting Palm
Baduanjin (Eight Pieces of Brocade) – This traditional Qigong routine exemplifies the yin (pas-sive) aspect through slow, mindful movements and controlled breathing. Participants performed forms like “Supporting the Sky with Both Hands to Regulate the Triple Burner” and “Separately Raising One Arm to Regulate the Spleen and Stomach,” promoting inner peace and energy flow.
(Supporting the Sky with Both Hands to Regulate the Triple Burner; Looking Backward to Relieve Five Strains
and Seven Injuries)
Holding the Feet to Strengthen the Kidneys and Waist
Cultural Immersion: Tea and Traditions
Following the martial arts session, attendees enjoyed a traditional Chinese tea break. A se-lection of teas and classic Chinese snacks provided an authentic taste of Chinese hospi-tality, allowing guests to engage with cultural etiquette in a relaxed and friendly setting.
Folk Games: Joyful Competition and Team Spirit
The second half of the salon featured lively competitions in traditional Chinese folk games. Participants were divided into red, blue, and green teams and competed in three activities: Chinese shuttlecock kicking (jianzi), group rope skipping, and tug-of-war.
In the jianzi contest, the red and green teams tied in the first round, leading to a sud-den-death match where the Red Team triumphed and received traditional shuttlecocks as prizes. The Red Team also excelled in the rope-skipping challenge, completing 80 consec-utive jumps and earning Chinese snacks in recognition of their teamwork and endurance.
The Red Team claimed victory in the jianzi contest
The final tug-of-war competition brought the energy to a peak. After a random draw, the Red Team defeated the Blue Team in the semifinals. The Green Team advanced to the finals by de-fault and then went on to beat the Red Team, earning traditional Chinese fans as their prize.
The Green Team emerged victorious in the tug-of-war finals
Bridging Cultures Through Movement
This cultural salon successfully blended movement, mindfulness, and meaningful cultural ex-change. Through engaging activities and shared experiences, participants gained a deeper ap-preciation for Chinese traditions and built lasting connections across cultures. GTCI remains committed to promoting cultural understanding and will continue to host innovative, interactive events that bring Chinese culture to life for UNIVEN students and the broader UNIVEN community.
Issued by:
Department of Marketing, Branding and Communication
University of Venda
Tel: 082 868 2218 / 082 868 1811
