Customs of Laba

Laba is one of the traditional Chinese festivals, usually celebrated on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month. It is an important festival with colorful customs and traditions. Below I will introduce you to some customs related to Laba.

First of all, an important custom during the Laba Festival is to eat Laba porridge. Laba porridge is made from rice, cereals, beans, dried fruits and sugar. People believe that eating Laba porridge can dispel cold, keep warm and increase the body's resistance. Laba porridge is sweet and delicious and very popular. On the day of Laba Festival, every household will cook a pot of Laba porridge, and the whole family will sit together and taste this delicious dish together.

Secondly, the Laba Festival also has the custom of worshiping ancestors. People will set up altars at home and place incense, fruits, cakes and other offerings to express respect and pray for their ancestors. This is a traditional belief and cultural inheritance, as well as a kind of commemoration and gratitude to ancestors.

In addition, there is an ancient folk activity during the Laba Festival, which is making glutinous rice cakes. Ciba is a traditional food made from glutinous rice and shaped like a small ball. On the Laba Festival, people gather together and throw glutinous rice cakes to each other, which symbolizes reunion and happiness. This activity not only adds to the joyful atmosphere of the festival, but is also one of the ways for people to communicate with each other.

Finally, there is another health-related custom during the Laba Festival, which is taking a Laba bath. People believe that taking a bath on Laba day can get rid of a year's bad luck and bring good luck and health. Therefore, many people choose to take a hot bath on the Laba Festival to welcome the new year.

Laba Festival is a festival full of warmth and festive atmosphere. People express their gratitude for the past year and their expectations for the future through customs such as eating Laba porridge, offering sacrifices to their ancestors, making glutinous rice cakes, and taking Laba baths. These customs not only enrich the connotation of the festival, but also inherit the excellent culture of the Chinese nation.