Rice dumpling ritual weaves community ties in Guizhou

As Dragon Boat Festival draws near, residents of Shiqian County, Guizhou Province, are embracing the festival in a traditional way by making unique tea-fragrant "sister zongzi," or "sister sticky rice dumplings," weaving together the rich aroma of a cherished traditional holiday snack with the warmth of neighborhood camaraderie.

Residents pick fresh zongye, or reed leaves, and then wash and air-dry them, while preparing local plump glutinous rice, sweet chestnuts, pliable straw and other materials. Once ready, they wrap the "sister zongzi" using methods passed down by older generations. The name "sister zongzi" originates from its unique wrapping style: The zongzi is wrapped with multiple pieces of reed leaves and tied into shape with a single straw, symbolizing the close bond between siblings, neighbors, relatives and friends, just as the reed leaves rely on each other and the straw wraps tightly around them.

The wrapped "sister zongzi" are neatly arranged in an iron dingguan – a type of tripod-shaped cooking vessel – marking the critical step that determines their flavor. Fresh taicha leaves picked from the current year – a unique tea variety in Shiqian – are the secret to the distinct taste of the tea-fragrant "sister zongzi." With firewood lit, the cooking process begins and lasts for 2.5 hours. As the zongzi simmer slowly over the fire, the delicate fragrance of taicha gradually infuses into them, perfectly blending with the zongzi's aroma to emit an alluring scent. It is said that taicha-scented zongzi are not only delicious but also light on the stomach for both the elderly and children, aiding digestion and having a longer shelf life.

Wrapping "sister zongzi" is more than just a culinary process; it is an inheritance of traditional culture and a bonding of neighborhood friendship. When pots of tea-fragrant "sister zongzi" are lifted from the stove, the steaming hot zongzi release an inviting aroma. Residents eagerly share these zongzi with each other, family and friends, spreading the joy and warmth of the festival.