As winter fades and cherry blossoms bloom, the Miao community in southwest China’s Guizhou Province welcomes spring with a delicious tradition: Shefan. This vibrant dish, made from sticky rice dyed golden-yellow with natural herbs, symbolizes hope and renewal for the year ahead. 🌱
A Recipe for Good Fortune
Every March, families in Songtao Miao Autonomous County gather to prepare Shefan, blending rice with local plants like Gleditsia sinensis (known as ‘spring herbs’). The rice is steamed, pounded, and shaped into shareable cakes—a ritual that’s equal parts culinary art and cultural celebration. 🍚✨
\"Shefan isn’t just food—it’s a bridge to our ancestors,\" says local resident Yang Mei. \"The color gold represents prosperity, and sharing it strengthens our community.\"
Why It Matters
Beyond its Instagram-worthy hues, Shefan reflects the Miao people’s deep connection to nature. With urbanization reshaping traditions, younger generations are using TikTok and Weibo to document the process, ensuring this 1,000-year-old custom stays alive. 📱💡
Travelers visiting Guizhou during spring festivals can now join workshops to learn Shefan-making—a tasty way to support cultural preservation!
