The Laba Festival, a cherished Chinese tradition, falls on January 7 this year. It is known for its ancient custom of eating Laba porridge to pray for peace, prosperity, and good health in the coming year.
In Yinjiang Tujia and Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, locals have come together to celebrate by preparing a hearty feast.
The preparation of Laba porridge, which includes more than 10 carefully chosen ingredients such as glutinous rice, peanuts, red beans and dates, is a meticulous process imbued with symbolic meaning.
"We add 30 grams of red beans, 20 grams of seeds of Job's tears, and six red dates to represent a vibrant and prosperous year ahead. The six dates signify smooth success in all endeavors," explained Zhang Lifang, a local resident.