The Shaanxi Association: Adding Vibrancy to Life

Lydia

Shaanxi Association of Canada

January 14, 2026

Toronto has a large Chinese community and numerous associations and societies. Anyone born, raised, educated, or working in China can become a member. Having been born, attended university, pursued graduate studies, and worked in different provinces and cities, I have been able to participate in many association activities in Toronto over the past 25 years. In the past six months, through performing Ansai waist drum, I have frequently participated in various activities organized by the Shaanxi Association, and I have deeply felt that among the many associations, the Shaanxi Association is one that makes our entertainment, life, and health more vibrant. Firstly, the Shaanxi Association's Ansai waist drum team is frequently invited to perform the opening drum at many events. Their powerful rhythmic music and bold drumming bring a magnificent and festive effect to the opening of many entertainment events in Toronto. I had always thought practicing Ansai waist drum was a good way to lose weight. When I saw media reports about the Shaanxi Association's Ansai waist drum team at the end of February this year, I immediately joined the group without hesitation and have been practicing once a week ever since. In just a few months, the association has performed Ansai waist drum for the following events:

Shaanxi Association Seniors' Spring Outing, Chongqing Association Dragon Boat Festival, Senior Games, Chongqing Cultural and Commercial Carnival, Qilu Association Gathering, Shaanxi Association Summer Barbecue, 2025 Dragon Culture Festival Closing Ceremony, Shanxi Association Mid-Autumn Festival Gathering

This waist drum troupe is not only active in Toronto, but also, on Canada Day, at the invitation of the Niagara City Government, joined a large drum, Tai Chi, and Yangge dance troupe to perform the opening act of the Canada Day celebrations in Niagara. Soon, the waist drum troupe will also travel to Montreal to participate in the "Chinese Culture Month" event organized by the Montreal Chinese Association.

Secondly, the Shaanxi Association frequently organizes various online and offline activities, enriching everyone's daily lives. For example, there are outings for seniors, providing opportunities to hike together in beautiful, fresh-air parks for exercise; AP course guides for high school students, imparting valuable knowledge to students and parents; introductions to school district housing selection, providing guidance for school choices and property purchases; and lectures on receiving domestic pensions, offering practical information for seniors in Canada. The Shaanxi Association also has an Ansai waist drum team, as well as teams specializing in drumming, Yangge dance, dance, Tai Chi, table tennis, and Guandan (a card game), adding vibrant color to everyday life. The association also incorporates culinary elements into its activities. Besides a dedicated "Shaanxi Food Festival," many other gatherings feature delicious food. Spicy cold noodles are refreshing and mouthwatering; roujiamo (Chinese hamburger) fills the stomach but leaves the eyes hungry; and grilled meat skewers, grilled corn, and baked flatbreads make one feel at home even when far away. My hometown also primarily features wheat-based foods, and the Shaanxi Association's inclusion of food elements in many of its events not only satisfies our appetites but also allows us to relive the flavors of our hometown. Finally, the various activities organized by the active Shaanxi Association are highly beneficial to everyone's physical and mental health. Participating in these activities allows friends to meet, chat, and exchange ideas, enhancing spiritual communication and making everyone happier; these activities also encourage exercise and improve physical fitness. Several drum enthusiasts have told me that they have lost many pounds since they started playing Ansai waist drum. A strong and healthy body not only benefits oneself but also reduces the frequency of doctor visits, thus easing the burden on the country.

Many hometown associations only hold one or two events a year, but for the past six months, while performing Ansai waist drum with the Shaanxi Association, I have also participated in a variety of activities with them. These activities have not only greatly promoted Ansai waist drum, which is listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in China, bringing vitality, joy, and health, adding a splendid touch to Canada, a land of "beautiful mountains, beautiful waters, and a lonely atmosphere," but have also injected brilliance into all aspects of our lives.