The Laba Rice Porridge Festival

The Laba Rice Porridge Festival is celebrated on the eighth day of the last lunar month,referring to the traditional start of celebrations for the Chinese New Year.

On the day, people will make a pot of tasty porridge with mixed grains and corns, like peanut, chestnut, date and lotus seed, which is an indispensable staple food for the Spring Festival.In the north, it is a dessert with sugar added; in the south, salt is put in.

There are two legendary origin about the Festival, One　holds　that　over　3，000 years ago　sacrificial　rites　called　“La”were　held　in the　twelfth　lunar　month　when　people　offered　their　preys　to　the　gods　of　heaven　and　earth. The　Chinese　characters　for　prey　and　the　twelfth　month　were　interchangeable　then，and　ever　since　“La”has　been　used　to　refer　to　both.

There is, however, another touching story：When Sakyamuni was on his way to the high mountains in his quest for understanding and enlightenment, he grew tired and hungry. Exhausted　from　days　of　walking，he　fainted　away　by　a　river　in　India. A　shepherdess　found　him　there　and　fed　him　her　lunch　--porridge　made　with　beans　and　rice.Sakyamuni　was　thus　able　to　continue　his　journey.Then large　Buddhist　temples　would　offer　Laba　rice　porridge　to　the　poor　to　show their　faith　to　Buddha.

Later,as　it　gained　favor　in　the　feudal　upper　class，it　also　quickly　became　popular　throughout the　country.