The Laba Festival is a traditional Chinese festival celebrated on the eighth day of the twelfth month of the lunar calendar. "La" is the name given to the 12th lunar month and 8 is pronounced as "ba" in Chinese, which translated is "Laba."

There is an old Chinese saying that "food is as important as the sky". Laba is such a festival.

During the Laba Festival, most Chinese people eat a food called "Laba Congee". Laba porridge, also known as "Seven Treasures and Five Flavors Congee", "Buddha Congee" and "Family Rice" This is a kind of porridge made from various ingredients. Laba Congee's traditional ingredients include rice, millet, corn, barley, red dates, lotus seeds, peanuts, longans and various beans.

On Laba Festival, the temple will deliver porridge to the poor. During the Qing Dynasty, the emperor would reward officials with Laba Congee.

Laba garlic is a traditional snack popular in North China. The preparation of laba garlic is very simple. Soak the garlic in a sealed vinegar jar until it turns green and the laba garlic is made.

In addition to celebrating festivals with food, the ancient Chinese also expelled epidemics at Laba Festival. The time of Laba Festival is just when epidemics are easy to spread. Therefore, defeating the epidemic has also become an important custom of the Laba Festival. Farmers will hold ceremonies to pray for the removal of epidemics.

In ancient China, people also bathed in Laba Festival. They believed that this can prevent disease and means that they will start again in the new year.

This year, Laba Festival happens to be the same day as Greater Cold. Greater Cold is the last solar term of the twenty-four solar terms. It means that winter is about to pass once Greater Cold is over. And to celebrate the Laba Festival also means the beginning of the New Year.

This year, Guangdong has encouraged people to stay in Guangdong for the Chinese New Year. Click for more information about the policy in Gunagdong:

Inbound arrivals policy and more...all about the Spring Festival in Guangdong

Author, graphic | Alice

Editor | Jerry