The Laba Festival: A Celebration of Tradition and Enlightenment

The Laba Festival, celebrated on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, marks the beginning of the Chinese New Year period. This traditional Chinese holiday is steeped in history and cultural significance, particularly in regions with strong Buddhist influences such as northern China and Beijing.

Celebrations and Activities

The Laba Festival is most prominently celebrated in northern China, where it is considered a prelude to the Chinese New Year. The festival involves various activities, including:

1. Worshipping Ancestors: People honour their ancestors and pray for good fortune, health, and a bountiful harvest. This involves offering food, tea, or wine, and burning incense.
2. Making and Eating Laba Congee: Known as “eight-treasure porridge,” Laba congee is made from a variety of ingredients including rice, millet, corn, barley, red dates, lotus seeds, peanuts, and various beans. This nutritious dish is believed to bring good health and luck.
3. Preparing Laba Garlic and Vinegar: In northern China, it is customary to make Laba garlic by soaking garlic cloves in vinegar. This mixture is then used with dumplings during the Chinese New Year celebrations

Significance of Food and Drinks

The foods associated with the Laba Festival are rich in symbolism and tradition:

• Laba Congee: This dish is central to the festival. It is believed that the Buddha attained enlightenment after consuming a bowl of congee on this day. The congee typically includes eight or more ingredients, symbolising prosperity and good fortune.
• Laba Garlic: The garlic, soaked in vinegar, is not only a culinary delight but also a symbol of financial prudence, as the word for garlic (蒜, suàn) sounds like the word for “calculate” (算, suàn) in Chinese.

The Legend of the Laba Festival

The origins of Laba Congee are said to trace back to India. Sakyamuni, the son of a northern Indian king, was deeply moved by the suffering of his people, who were plagued by illness and oppressed by the Brahman theocracy. Unable to bear this, he renounced his royal status and embarked on a quest for enlightenment through religious teachings.

For six arduous years, Sakyamuni led a life of extreme austerity and self-mortification. It was on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, while meditating under the bodhi tree, that he attained enlightenment and discovered the truths of Buddhism. During these years of asceticism, it is said that Sakyamuni subsisted solely on rice.

To honour his journey and enlightenment, people commemorate him by eating porridge on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month each year. This tradition not only pays homage to Sakyamuni’s perseverance and spiritual awakening but also serves as a reminder of the humble and simple sustenance that supported him through his quest.

Laba Congee: Recipe and Flavours

Laba congee, also known as “eight-treasure porridge,” is a traditional dish enjoyed during the Laba Festival. This nutritious and flavourful porridge is made from a variety of grains, beans, nuts, and dried fruits, each adding its unique taste and texture.

Ingredients

The ingredients for Laba congee can vary, but typically include:

• Grains: Glutinous rice, black rice, barley, millet, and corn.
• Beans: Red beans, mung beans, and kidney beans.
• Nuts: Peanuts, walnuts, and chestnuts.
• Dried Fruits: Red dates, lotus seeds, raisins, and dried longans.
• Sweeteners: Rock sugar or brown sugar (optional).

Recipe

Here is a simple recipe to make Laba congee:

1. Preparation:

1. • Soak the beans and peanuts overnight to soften them.

1. • Rinse all the ingredients thoroughly.

1. Cooking:

1. • Combine all the grains, beans, nuts, and dried fruits in a large pot.

1. • Add water in a ratio of about 1:8 (one part ingredients to eight parts water).

1. • Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer.

1. • Cook for about 1 to 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until the congee reaches a thick, porridge-like consistency.

1. • Add rock sugar or brown sugar to taste, if desired.

1. Serving:

1. • Serve the congee hot, garnished with additional dried fruits or nuts if you like.

Flavours and Significance

Laba congee is known for its rich and diverse flavours. The combination of grains and beans provides a hearty base, while the nuts add a crunchy texture. The dried fruits contribute a natural sweetness, and the optional addition of sugar enhances the overall taste.

Each ingredient in Laba congee has its own significance:

• Grains and Beans: Symbolise abundance and prosperity.
• Nuts: Represent longevity and strength.
• Dried Fruits: Signify sweetness and happiness in life.

The congee is not only a delicious dish but also a symbol of good fortune and health, making it a perfect way to celebrate the Laba Festival.

FAQs

1.What is the story behind Laba porridge?

One story is that during the Song Dynasty Buddhist monks gave congee porridge to people in honour of the legend that Sakyamuni (Guatama Buddha) reached enlightenment on the 8th day of the 12th month after eating congee.

2.Why is Laba Festival celebrated?

The festival marks the end of the year and the beginning of the Spring. It is an opportunity to express gratitude to the gods and ancestors for the year’s bounty, and to pray for a prosperous and disaster-free year ahead.