In Guangdong, where the winter solstice term 'Minor Snow' (Xiaoxue) rarely brings actual snowfall, the season is marked by a unique blend of customs and activities. As the region prepares for the colder months, here's how Guangdong residents celebrate Minor Snow.
Culinary delights
Eating glutinous rice cake, or Ciba, during Minor Snow is a cherished tradition in southern China, particularly among the Hakka community. Sticking to the lunar calendar's 'mid-October', families gather to enjoy this sticky, sweet delicacy made from steamed and pounded glutinous rice. Ciba symbolizes harvest, joy, and unity, embodying the season's essence.
As the local saying goes, "In October, the inner fire needs mustard green soup," emphasizing the importance of this vegetable during this period. Following the onset of winter in the lunar calendar, mustard greens and their varieties lose their bitterness, becoming a sweet and refreshing addition to Guangdong's culinary scene.
With the region's unpredictable weather, fluctuating between chilly mornings and warm afternoons, the body's internal heat and external cold create a need for balance. A hearty mustard green soup, enhanced with sweet potatoes, becomes a perfect remedy for the dry season.
Lifestyle
As Minor Snow approaches, preparations for the colder months intensify. Along the coastal areas of Guangdong, fishermen begin drying fish and storing dried foods, ensuring a steady supply throughout winter and into the next year.
During Minor Snow, Guangdong residents prioritize health and wellness. The advice is to soak up the sun, engage in physical activities, and indulge in foot soaks to fend off the cold and boost immunity. Diets are enriched with high-calorie foods like meat, fish, dairy, and warming, nutrient-dense ingredients such as walnuts, red dates, longan, black sesame seeds, black beans, and black fungus, all rich in vitamins and iron.
Cultural celebrations
Around the 16th day of lunar October, the Yao ethnic group celebrates its grandest and most solemn festival, the Panwang Festival. This occasion brings people together to honor ancestors, celebrate the harvest, and engage in singing contests and merriment. The Panwang Festival in Shaoguan and the Shuange Tang in Qingyuan hold significant cultural value, inscribed on the first batch of China's National Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2006.
In Guangdong, Minor Snow is not just a meteorological event but a vibrant day filled with traditions, flavors, and communal spirit.
Author | Feng Huiting
Poster | Feng Huiting
Editor | Liu Lingzhi, Huang Qini, James, Shen He
