Laba Festival

The Laba Festival or Rice Porridge Festival falls on the 8th day of the 12th Chinese lunar month. The festival was originally an occasion for Chinese to give sacrifices to their ancestors and to pray for a good harvest and good luck for the family. Nevertheless, the origins of this festival gradually changed into a congee eating event. The name ‘Laba’ is derived from ‘La’ which means the 12th Chinese lunar month and ‘ba’ is how eight is pronounced in Chinese. Laba Festival happens after the Winter Solstice Festival and before the Chinese New Year. Laba Festival is not only regarded as a day of sacrifices but also the day Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment, which is referred to as Bodhi Day. This day is observed by the Mahayana Buddhists.