As an old Chinese saying goes, "Customs vary within ten li, and traditions differ across a hundred li."
This couldn’t be more true when it comes to the cultural differences between northern and southern China. Even within the same region, unique customs and practices thrive. Today, we explore the distinct sheep-themed traditional festivals celebrated in northern and southern China.
Northern China: The Grassland "Pearl Festival"
Origin
Observed between May and June each year, this festival is a joyous harvest celebration held after herdsmen complete the busy lambing and nurturing season. In Mongolian culture, the testicles of young male lambs are regarded as "pearls"—treasured for their round, precious shape. Hence, the ritual of castrating young rams is named the "Pearl Festival".
During the ceremony, a horsehead fiddle player provides melodic accompaniment, while a lama or narrator recites blessing chants. First, the host herdsman purifies the haote (sheep pen) with arshaan (holy water). Then, skilled artisans perform the castration. The harvested "pearls" are cleaned with milk water, followed by offerings to heaven and earth to pray for favorable weather, prosperous livestock, and abundant harvests. Finally, the "pearls" are boiled with goat milk and millet to serve as a delicacy for guests.
Significance
Breed Optimization: By castrating inferior male lambs, herdsmen preserve elite breeds, ensuring the overall quality of the grassland livestock population.
Meat Quality Improvement: Castration helps rams grow faster and produce tender, plump meat with superior flavor.
Harvest Celebration: It is a cherished tradition for herdsmen to rejoice in the successful lambing season and the prosperity of their flocks.
Festival Customs
On the day of the Pearl Festival, every herdsman household prepares a savory "pearl porridge" using the harvested lamb testicles to commemorate the occasion. Since the "pearls" are taken from live lambs—considered "living meat"—they are first soaked in fresh milk and rice as a gesture of respect for the lambs.
Interestingly, if a lamb develops inflammation or suffers excessive bleeding after castration, the milk-rice water used to soak the "pearls" is fed to the injured lamb. This liquid is believed to have healing properties and is hailed as the lamb’s "life-saving water".
Culinary Tips
Pearl Porridge
Pre-soak red dates and raisins in warm water.
Blanch the "pearls" (lamb testicles) in the rich broth from boiled hand-grilled mutton, then remove and set aside.
Cook rice in a fresh batch of hand-grilled mutton broth until it reaches 80% doneness.
Add the soaked red dates, raisins, yogurt, cheese, sheep butter, and blanched "pearls" to the pot.
Simmer on low heat for 30–45 minutes, then serve.
Stir-Fried "Pearls"
Blanch the "pearls" (lamb testicles) in hand-grilled mutton broth, then dice them.
Chop a small amount of mutton into pieces.
Pour a small amount of oily hand-grilled mutton broth into a pot and bring to a boil.
Add the chopped mutton and stir-fry until it changes color completely.
Toss in the diced "pearls", then add an appropriate amount of mutton broth and simmer on low heat.
When the broth reduces to one-third of its original volume, turn up the heat.
Add chopped green onions, ginger, and salt (or chili peppers to taste), stir well, and serve hot.
Southern China: The Fu Yang Festival (Summer Sheep Festival)
Origin
Legend has it that the Fu Yang Festival dates back to the Han Dynasty. According to ancient tales, when the Yellow Emperor governed the people, he divided the summer farming season into two phases: the Fu Yang period (from the Fu Yang Festival to the Qixi Festival) and the rice-wheat period (from the Qixi Festival to the Mid-Autumn Festival).
Regarded as the official start of summer plowing and sowing, the Fu Yang Festival was also historically known as the "Summer Farming Festival".
Significance
The festival is dedicated to honoring farmers’ hard work and offering sacrifices to the "Fu Yang" (symbolizing summer livestock and harvests) to pray for bountiful harvests year after year. It serves as a way to inherit ancient Chinese culture, express reverence for natural forces and agricultural labor, and pass down the fine traditions of the Chinese nation.
Festival Customs
On the day of the Fu Yang Festival, every household holds festive activities, such as inserting mugwort stalks, sprinkling mugwort water, roasting "fu sheep", and enjoying a feast of lamb dishes, to show respect for the tradition.
On the eve of the festival, people pluck mugwort from their homes and sprinkle mugwort-infused water around their yards, believing this practice will invoke divine protection and ensure the health and safety of their families.
Culinary Tips
An old local proverb goes: "A bowl of mutton soup in the dog days keeps the doctor away."
This saying highlights the health benefits of eating mutton soup during the hottest summer months, emphasizing its important role in summer health preservation.
Mutton Soup
Mutton soup is not only delicious but also highly nutritious. Packed with protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals, it effectively replenishes nutrients lost in summer heat, boosts immunity, and enhances the body’s resistance to illness.
