Key takeaway:
Cultural stories of the 12th lunar month/腊月 ( Làyuè)
Laba Festival
Laba Congee
The LaBa/腊八, the 8th day of La Month/ 腊月( Làyuè), is a tradition of celebrating the new harvest and could be traced back to Han Dynasty (202 BC – 220 AD). LaBa/腊八 was popular among folk families as well as in royal court. Influenced by Buddhism, this festival got a fixed time on the eighth day of the 12th lunar month, which was also the enlightenment day of the Buddha. On the day of LaBa/腊八, monks in the temple would open the door to provide LaBa Congee/腊八粥 ( Làbāzhōu) to the poors.
LaBa Congee/腊八粥 ( Làbāzhōu) is a soup with mixed grains, beans, nuts or dries fruits. Though ingredients vary in different regions, people like to put eight different ingredients because eight (八/8) is a good fortunate number in Chinese culture. Moreover, people believe the mixed grain porridge is very good for the health, especially in cold winter.
Main ingredients of LaBa Congee
Sticky rice, black rice, red bean, green bean, dried red date, Longgan, walnut, peanut, lotus seed, as well as dried fruits such as raisin, Goji etc.
Cooking Steps:
1. Soak the ingredients such like beans in the water overnight to make them easier to cook;
2. Put all ingredients into a slow cooker or pot, add water then bring to boiling;
3. Stir it from time to time to avoid it sticks at the bottom of your cooking pot;
4. Poach it for 2 hours until it is soft and thick;
5. Personalize it with flowers like rose, colored dried fruits.
Most importantly, LaBa Congee/腊八粥 ( Làbāzhōu) is healthy, full of fiber, vitamine, protein, etc. easy to digest for the young and the old!! Don’t you want to try LaBa Congee/腊八粥 ( Làbāzhōu) this weekend?
While you cook, let kids recite this old funny folk doggerel of LaBa festival : 馋/So so Good!
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“Sunday Cartoon Story Time” Laba Edition : this weekend, hihilulu teachers will organize LaBa Doggerel PK among our young participants from worldwide, come to cite this folk doggrel with us! click the link to register free participation ( Note: You will receive a link in a Saturday mailing after your registration)
In our blog: read Learn Chinese through Chinese Culture by Miss Mandarine
In our virtual services: check out our age-adapted and hihilulu Atelier Online Class