People line up for Laba congee

Citizens in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, line up at Hefang Street for the Laba congee on Jan 17, 2016. [Photo/IC]

Today is Laba, a Chinese traditional festival that falls on the eighth day of the 12th lunar month. If you are in China, you may find Chinese people celebrating the festival by eating a special kind of porridge, the Laba congee.

The practice derives from the tradition of giving sacrifices to the ancestors and praying to heaven and earth for a good harvest and good luck for the family, which could be traced back to the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279). Eating porridge is a way to show appreciation for a good harvest of crops, the main stable ancient Chinese rely on to make a living.

Ingredients of Laba congee varies from places to places. Generally, it contains different types of rice, beans, dried nuts, bean curd and sometimes meat. Melon seeds, lotus seeds, pine nuts, sugar and some preserved fruits like red dates are added to give more flavors.

Many temples in China hand out Laba congee to the citizens, to show mercy and imply a good fruition. Some community organizations and pharmacies will also cook and give away such porridge to wish the residents a good health.