The 20th day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar is a traditional festival in a place, also called "Dawang Festival". This folk festival that carries the deep feelings of the Zhuang people is derived from a beautiful legend and is still circulated in Zhuang people's settlement areas such as Mashan, Guangxi.
On this special day, the family sat in the yard, listened to the elders telling the story of Miss Dawang, tasted the food with profound meanings, and felt the wisdom and warmth that had been passed down for thousands of years.
So how did this Dawang Festival come about?
According to legend, in ancient times, there was a Zhuang girl named Dawang. She was not only beautiful, but also had a sweet voice, and she sang more beautiful than a skylark.
The toast was angry and wanted to die when the sparrow stole the rice and shitted on his head. The kind Dawang felt sorry for the birds and secretly informed them to escape.
After the toast discovered it, he persecuted Dawang until he died. Hearing that Dawang was killed, thousands of sparrows flew over and carried her body to the Moon Palace for burial. From then on, Dawang lived in the Moon Palace and protected the creatures in the world.
In order to commemorate this kind girl, people set the 20th day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar as the Dawang Festival.
What are the traditions and requirements of this festival? Reminder: First, don’t make trouble, and second, you must make it. Eating means that the family is prosperous, the people are prosperous, everything is prosperous. Let’s take a look together.
No trouble
Don't make noise when the moon rises, feel the tranquility with your heart
In the traditional concept of the Zhuang people, when the moon rises, Dawang is listening to the voices of the world. Noisy is not only disrespect for her, but also breaks this sacred connection.
In fast-paced modern life, we rarely leave ourselves quiet moments. This custom reminds us that occasionally turning off electronic devices, getting along with our family in tranquility, and listening to the sound of nature is also a kind of spiritual adjustment.
Two must be done
Sacrifice to the moon and betray people
When the moon rises in the evening, every household will move the table to the yard, place chicken legs and duck feet to worship the ancestors, and also pay tribute to the Dawang girl in the Moon Palace.
Family reunion
Dawang Festival is an important moment for family reunion, and it is especially taboo to go out alone on festivals. The old man often said that Dawang in the Moon Palace is also afraid of loneliness, and we should gather together in the world.
This also reminds us that even if we are traveling around the city, we can call home to greet us. The company of our family is the best gratitude. This festival reminds us to cherish the time we spend with our family.
Eat the same
The meaningful chicken legs and duck legs
Chicken legs symbolize hiking and growth. The old man would pick a fat chicken leg and hand it to the juniors, watching them chew them clean bit by bit. This means that the child will walk vigorously when he grows up and one day he will go to the Moon Palace to visit Sister Dawang.
Duck feet mean stability and abundance. There are many tendons on duck feet and they are chewy when eaten, as if telling children that although the road of life is long, every step must be solid and steady.
Production method:
Chicken legs: Wash and marinate with ginger and a little salt for ten minutes, steam it in a pot for 20 minutes, pour some hot oil and soy sauce before leaving the pot, the aroma is strong and the gravy is retained.
Duck feet: Remove the tip of the claws, blanch and remove the fishy smell, then use star anise, cinnamon and soy sauce to brine for half an hour. After cooling, it will be fragile and fragrant.
Dawang Festival is not only a story of the Zhuang people, but also conveys universal values. This festival reflects the cherishment and inheritance of kindness. Dawang sacrificed his life for protecting small animals, and the sparrows were grateful for their kindness, which reflected the simple belief that good deeds would echo. The custom of "sacrificing the moon with ripe valleys" not only thanks the world for its harvest, but also conveys the life philosophy of respecting nature and cherishing gifts.
Today, Dawang Festival reminds us: be kind and gentle, be firm and brave; attach importance to family reunion and protect the kindness of the world.
