'Replenish grains' custom in Donglan

The "Bu Liang (Replenish Grains)" custom in Donglan county, Hechi refers to children and grandchildren of seniors offering them grains to pray that they live a long and peaceful life.

It is considered that when a senior reaches a certain age, their "grain" or lifetime will run out. Hence it is of great necessity for their children and grandchildren to "replenish grains" for them.

Replenishing grains usually happens at nights. Children and grandchildren will kneel down in front of the senior and put the grains into the prepared vat in turn under the guidance of a Taoist priest. Everyone needs to keep quiet during the whole process.

All the grains must be eaten by the senior before the next "replenishing grains" rite, and others cannot eat these grains.

The date and specific time of the "replenishing grains" rite will be decided by the Taoist priest according to the date of birth of the senior. The frequency of the rite differs from place to place, with some taking place once a year and some once every three years.

The custom is also popular in Bama Yao autonomous county and Fengshan county in Hechi.

People in Bama Yao autonomous county, Hechi hold the "replenishing grains" rite for seniors to pray that they have a long and peaceful life. [Photo/gxnews.com.cn]