Guizhou auntie basketball team brings grassroots energy to US

The auntie basketball delegation showcases Guizhou's intangible cultural heritage in the US. [Photo/ddcpc website]

An auntie basketball delegation made up of everyday women from Southwest China's Guizhou province embarked on a series of friendly matches from Sept 28 to Oct 7 across California, Nevada, Utah, and Washington in the United States.

On the court, these players donned ethnic attire to trade skills and build friendships with local teams. Off the court, the atmosphere was just as lively, featuring cultural exhibits, grassroots village runway shows, and displays of intangible cultural heritage.

With its fun, down-to-earth energy, these sports and culture exchanges gave people a close-up taste of Chinese ethnic traditions, helping to bridge cultures and bring hearts closer together.

More than just sports, these women carried a bigger story across the ocean: the transformation of Miao women stepping away from kitchen stoves and onto the basketball court. They brought cultural confidence, with embroidered insoles sitting right alongside the melodies of the lusheng (a bamboo reed-pipe instrument), offering a joyful glimpse into the changes and thriving life blossoming across Guizhou's mountain villages.