by Ximena Conde

Hundreds of people came to Philadelphia’s Chinatown Sunday — many by the busload from as far as Washington, D.C. and New York City — to celebrate a southeastern Chinese god’s 1,189th birthday.

The god was General Humin, whom worshippers credit with bringing prosperity to China’s Fujian Province during the 10th century by opening the ports and building schools. That’s according to organizers of the Chinese Hoyu Folk Culture Festival, named for a township in Fujian.

The general was elevated to god status after his death and is seen as a protector of the Fujian Province. During the festival, the general and other local gods are celebrated with fireworks, music, and burned silver-and-gold covered papers representing money…

Reblogged from WHYY

Image courtesy of WHYY/Kriston Jae Bethel