What are the customs and habits in Xiamen?

In addition to the traditional festivals in China, such as the Lunar New Year, Lantern Festival, walking in the streets, lanterns and dragon and lion dances, there are also festivals in Xiamen, such as offering sacrifices to the gods on the ninth day of the first month, an outing to sweep the grave in Tomb-Sweeping Day (the grave sweeping activities in southern Fujian concentrated on the cultural psychology of ancient China people who were cautious in pursuing the distance), eating zongzi to catch ducks on the Dragon Boat Festival, and making cakes on the Mid-Autumn Festival on August 15th.

Xiamen is located in southern Fujian, with a long history of Minnan culture and many unique customs, especially on holidays. In addition to the traditional festivals in China, such as Lunar New Year, Lantern Festival, going to the streets, dancing dragons and lions, there is also a sacrifice to heaven on the ninth day of the first month in Xiamen, an outing to sweep graves in Tomb-Sweeping Day (the grave-sweeping activities in southern China reflect the ancient people's cultural psychology of being cautious in pursuing the distance), eating zongzi to catch ducks on the Dragon Boat Festival, and making cakes on the Mid-Autumn Festival on August 15.

Shangyuan Festival, also known as Lantern Festival or Lantern Festival, is the birthday of Emperor Wei Zi. On this day, Xiamen people will pray for the Heavenly Palace. Every family will put five sacrifices, fruits, dining tables and paper money on the table early in the morning, burn incense and worship the God of Heaven, and predict the good or bad luck of the year. After offering wine, they will burn gold paper, and then complete sacrificial ceremonies, withdrawal of offerings and other ceremonies.

At this time, the streets and alleys are covered with beautiful lanterns, and public places such as Zhongshan Park, temples or Workers' Cultural Palace will have activities such as dragon and lion dancing, walking on stilts, boating, setting off fireworks, welcoming Zigu, solve riddles on the lanterns and eating jiaozi. Dragon Boat Festival is also called "May Festival". The Dragon Boat Festival in Xiamen has the same contents as other places in China, such as eating zongzi and rowing dragon boats, and also has unique local characteristics, such as catching ducks and pigs.

Dragon boat races are usually held in the Dragon Boat Pool in Jimei. If you happen to go to Xiamen before the Dragon Boat Festival, you might as well go there. Duck catching is a folk sports competition that tests physical strength, perseverance and skills. The arena is located on the water. Participants have to walk through a log covered with lubricating oil, open a wooden box containing ducks, and then jump into the water to catch the fallen ducks. The scene is hot, the atmosphere is warm, and there is a strong Minnan style. Mid-Autumn Festival Mid-Autumn Festival, full moon night, is a day for people to reunite with their families or miss relatives and friends far away.

Xiamen people pay special attention to the Mid-Autumn Festival. Many folks living abroad and compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan will set foot on their way home, reunite with their families and friends, enjoy family happiness and talk about their friendship after parting.