My China Experience 16a

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Winter Solstice
A few days ago, it was a rather important holiday here...Winter Solstice. In Henan Province, dumplings are known as "frozen ears." Dumplings look very much like our Ravoli. According to legend, Zhang Zhongying was a government official in Changsha and a saintly doctor in Nanyang. After he retired, he went back to his village. On the way there, it was snowing heavily with the chilling winds penetrating to the bone. He noticed that poor farmers on both the banks of the River Bai in Nanyang village wore shabby clothes that did not cover their entire bodies. Many of the people had frost bitten ears that were festering. He felt very grieved by that. He instructed his disciples to erect a shed at Guandong in Nanyang village to provide medical treatment. He used goat meat, hot pepper, and some anti-cold medication boiled in a cauldron. The ingredients were then scooped up and chopped up into fine pieces. He then told his students to wrap up the chopped ingredients in flour pastry, which had the shape of an ear. The "ears" were again boiled in the big pot and the brew was known as "anti-cold ear rectification soup." He gave the soup to the people. After eating that, the ears of the people healed. Thereafter, the people imitated the making of the "ears" and the custom of eating "anti-cold ears" began. Later on, people called it dumplings and also "flat food" and "flour pastry soup." According to one legend, if people eat dumplings on the Winter Solstice, they won't fear the cold and their ears will not fall off. Many people gather with family or friends to have a party. They all help another and make dumplings....everyone must help. After that, they are cooked by boiling than shared by all who made them. Several of my classes here had such a party the other day. I was invited to assist. We all made dumplings....all except one boy named Polaris. You see, Polaris is 19 and has had a severly deformed right hand since birth. He has never made the dumplings as it takes TWO hands. He was there, talking and laughing but not making any dumplings. I spoke to him and asked him why not? He showed me his deformed right hand and shrugged his shoulders. I asked him....what do I always tell you all in class? He responded, "Nothing is Impossible." Correct I said. I told him, how about if we both make a dumpling together? I'll be his other hand. He looked at me in disbelief, than smiled and agreed. We made that dumpling and everyone cheered. After they were all made and started to cook them, the students got a little fiesty. Some would get some flour on their fingers and rub it on other's cheecks in fun. A few students sneaked up behind me and let me have it but good. With hands full of flour, I got it on my right cheek, left cheek, forehead, beard, and several hand prints all over my black coat. What a MESS. I had a really good time that day, joining in their festival and getting Polaris to join for then first time in his life. That's a great memory. Take care,
Click link to get to next page:
http://my-china16b.blogspot.com