The Origin and Customs of the Laba Festival

Laba Festival, which falls on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, is a traditional Chinese festival with a long history. Its origin can be traced back to the ancient custom of offering sacrifices to ancestors and gods in the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BC).

Legend has it that during the Northern and Southern Dynasties (420-589 AD), there was a severe famine in China. A monk named Zhiyuan begged for food from the wealthy and distributed it to the poor. On the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, he cooked porridge with rice, beans, nuts, and fruits, and gave it to the hungry people. The porridge was so delicious and nourishing that the people called it 'Laba Porridge' and the day 'Laba Festival'.

Since then, Laba Festival has become a day of gratitude and blessing. People offer sacrifices to ancestors and gods, pray for good harvests, health, and prosperity, and eat Laba Porridge to celebrate the occasion. In addition to Laba Porridge, other traditional foods, such as dumplings, rice cakes, and tofu, are also consumed.

There are also various customs and activities associated with Laba Festival, such as cleaning the house, hanging colorful decorations, making paper-cuttings, and setting off firecrackers. In some areas, people also perform dragon and lion dances, and attend temple fairs.

Laba Festival is not only a time for family reunion and feasting, but also a time for spiritual reflection and community harmony. It reflects the rich cultural heritage and values of the Chinese people, and serves as a bridge between the past and the present.