Laba Festival custom in China

Laba is a colorful festival, which is not only the prelude to the Spring Festival, but also the anniversary of Buddha's enlightenment. Its formation is related to ancient winter festivals. In ancient times, the words "wax" and "wax" were basically universal, meaning to sacrifice to gods and ancestors in winter. Because this kind of sacrifice is held in December, it is called "twelfth moon" or "wax moon". So do you know the custom of Laba Festival? Next, I will introduce it in detail, and interested friends will have a look ~

1, Laba porridge Laba porridge is also called "wind porridge". Because Laba coincides with nine cold days, drinking porridge can keep out the cold, hence the name. The usual Laba porridge is made of glutinous rice, red beans, red dates, longan, lotus seeds, peanuts, ginkgo, pine nuts and carrots. Later, different materials were used in different places. There are many theories about the origin of drinking Laba porridge. Some people say it's because "red beans play tricks on ghosts." Every Laba, evil spirits always come out to make trouble. Red bean red bean porridge can dispel the epidemic and welcome the auspicious. It is also said that Laba cooked porridge with miscellaneous grains and beans on this day to commemorate Yue Fei. It was in Zhuxian Town that the hungry Yue Jiajun drank the "thousand porridge" of the people and was able to return to China with a great victory on this day. Drinking a bowl of boiled Laba porridge on Laba Festival is the happiest thing, which not only warms the heart and stomach, but also brings wealth in all directions. Everything is "porridge"!

2. Soaking Laba garlic with Laba garlic is a custom in northern China, especially in the north. As the name implies, garlic is brewed on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month. In fact, the materials are very simple, namely vinegar and garlic cloves. The method is also extremely simple. Put the peeled garlic cloves in a sealable container, such as a jar or bottle, then pour in vinegar, seal the mouth and put it in a cold place. Slowly, the garlic soaked in vinegar will turn green, and finally the whole body will turn green, like jade and jasper. Garlic means to ward off evil spirits among the people. After Laba, the cold weather is also a period of high incidence of diseases. At this time, peeling garlic means scaring away the disease with the spicy taste of garlic, and garlic itself has the function of sterilization. Therefore, pickling garlic on Laba has become a traditional custom.

3. Steamed ribs in Laba. Steamed ribs with Laba are eaten by Shandong people. Rib itself is an expensive dish in meat. Steamed with laba beans, glutinous rice, red beans and peanuts, they have a unique flavor. After Laba, it is the Spring Festival. The annual stewed ribs in Laba also indicates that the New Year is booming and the financial resources are rolling in.

4. Laba Tofu Laba Tofu is one of the traditional snacks of Han nationality in yi county, Anhui Province, and it is a holiday custom. On the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, on the eve of the Spring Festival, every household will bake tofu, which is called Laba tofu by the people. Laba tofu is made of raw materials such as soybeans, peppers and spiced spices through traditional handicrafts, and is known as "vegetarian ham". The color of the finished product is yellow and jade-like, the entrance is soft, salty and sweet, and the fragrance is refreshing. Laba tofu is usually hung in a ventilated place with straw rope to dry, and can be picked when eating. Generally, it can be dried for three months without deterioration or taste change. You can eat it alone or stir-fry it with meat. Laba tofu is round, which means that family reunion is blessed.

5, Laba noodles as the saying goes: "La Qibala, frozen chin" Laba eats a bowl of steaming Laba noodles, is it a fragrant word? The difference between laba noodles and ordinary home cooking is that laba vinegar and laba beans are added to the noodle soup, plus delicious sausages. This Laba garlic is particularly refreshing and appetizing, and eating Laba noodles on Laba Festival indicates a bumper harvest in the new year.

These are five customs I know about Laba Festival. What else do you know, my friend? Please tell me in the comments section.