Beginning of Summer, one of the Chinese 24 solar terms, usually falls each year on a day between May 5 and 7 according to the calendar. For centuries, people of the Banshan neighbourhood in Hangzhou, Zhejiang hold a lot of events. Celebrations usually begin with parade made up of people dressed up in traditional Chinese clothing, Hanfu. After the parade, local people take part in some activities at the square.
Eating black rice: A few days before Beginning of Summer, people of Banshan begin busying themselves with cooking black rice. They mix rice and the juice of fresh-picked sea bilberry leaves. Black rice culture started from the Tang Dynasty (618-907). It is believed that children who eat black rice will not be bitten by insects and will be fit the whole summer.
Weighing people: Local people of Banshan developed the interesting tradition of weighing people on this day to check the changes in their bodyweight over the past year. People of all ages take part in the activity. Locals believe that people who weigh themselves on this day will not only have good luck, but also guard against weight loss during the coming summer.
Egg fights: Children are undoubtedly crazy about this game. With a boiled egg, each child tries to break the egg of their competitor. Whoever's egg breaks first is the loser, and needs to eat the egg as a punishment. The champion in the game is awarded the title of "Egg King".
Today these activities have given birth to a series of special customs in Banshan on Beginning of Summer.
Title: Traditions on Beginning of Summer: A Taste of Food and
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Background information |
» Beginning of Summer usually falls each year on a day between May 5 and 7. » Local people in traditional Chinese clothing take part in some activities to this day. |
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Special activities |
» Eating black rice has a long People believe eating it keeps children safe from the danger of insect biting. » Weighing people on this day is among people of different ages. By doing so, they believe they will have good luck and guard against weight loss in the coming summer. » Egg fights is a game that children are crazy about. If a child the game, he needs to eat the egg. |
