Laba Festival

The Laba Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday celebrated on the eighth day of the month of La, which is the twelfth month of the Chinese calendar. This special day marks the beginning of the Chinese New Year period. On this day, families come together to share a special meal that includes Laba congee, a sweet rice porridge made with fruits, nuts, and other ingredients.

The celebration of Laba Festival became more fixed in its date during the Southern and Northern dynasties. It was influenced by Buddhism and settled on the eighth day of the twelfth month, which is also an important day in Buddhism. Many customs and traditions from this time are connected to Buddhist beliefs. This festival is very similar to the Japanese Rohatsu and the South Asian Bodhi Day, both of which also celebrate important moments in Buddhist history.

History

The Laba Festival gets its name from the date it is celebrated on the Chinese calendar. "La" is the name of the twelfth month, and "ba" means "eight". Long ago, people would make sacrifices to eight gods to bring good luck, health, and a good harvest for the new year.

Later, after Buddhism came to China, the festival remembered when Gautama Buddha became enlightened. It was set on the eighth day of the twelfth month during the time of the Northern and Southern dynasties. In the Qing dynasty, special ceremonies were held at the Yonghe Temple in Beijing.

Customs

The Laba Festival is the start of the time leading up to Chinese New Year, which happens about three weeks later.

An old tradition during this festival is beating drums to chase away sickness. This custom comes from ancient beliefs and is still done in some places like Xinhua in Hunan.

Laba congee

Main article: Laba congee

A key part of the Laba Festival is eating Laba congee. There are many stories about how this dish began. One tale says it started in the Song dynasty when Buddhist monasteries shared congee to honor the story that Sakyamuni (Gautama Buddha) found peace on the eighth day of the twelfth month after eating congee.

Laba congee, also called Laba porridge, is popular across China. It is made with different grains, beans, nuts, and dried fruits. People think it helps keep them healthy during winter.

It is also known as “eight-treasure congee” because it often includes eight or more ingredients, which bring good luck. The number eight is considered lucky in China, and the word for “eight” is part of the name “Laba.”

There are many regional ways to make Laba congee. Ingredients can include rice, millet, barley, mung beans, azuki beans, lotus seeds, peanuts, walnuts, chestnuts, red dates, longan, raisins, goji berries, and even vegetables and meat.

Laba garlic

Main article: Laba garlic

Another special food for Laba is Laba garlic, especially liked in northern China. In Chinese, the word for garlic sounds the same as the word for “calculate.” Because of this, people think it is a good time to check their money for the year. Laba garlic is made by soaking garlic in vinegar from the Laba Festival until Chinese New Year. The garlic and vinegar are then used with Chinese dumplings called jiaozi during Chinese New Year.

In popular culture

The Laba Festival appears in the story of a book by the writer Jin Yong called Ode to Gallantry.

In 2011, Google made a special drawing on its website to celebrate the festival.