The Laba Festival, falling on the 8th day of the 12th lunar month, is a traditional Chinese festival that signals the start of the countdown to Chinese New Year. It is a time for families to gather and enjoy a special dish—Laba Congee, which is the most iconic part of the festival.

Laba Congee is a nutritious porridge made by simmering a variety of ingredients slowly. Common ingredients include glutinous rice, red beans, mung beans, dates, peanuts, lotus seeds and dried longans. Each ingredient has a good meaning, representing blessings like prosperity, health and a bountiful harvest. Families usually cook a big pot of congee and share it with family members, as it symbolizes unity and warmth.

The festival has a history of thousands of years. In ancient times, people held ceremonies to worship ancestors and gods on this day, praying for a peaceful new year. Today, though the customs have simplified, eating Laba Congee remains a beloved tradition.

As we celebrate the Laba Festival, we are not only enjoying a delicious meal but also embracing the warmth of family and the hope for the coming new year. It is a wonderful way to feel the charm of Chinese traditional culture.