The Zhuangs believe in
the primitive religion and worship their ancestors. Some of them believe in
Catholicism and others in Christianism. The famous festivals include the March Third
Singing Festival.
Spring Festival
The Spring Festival is the most ceremonious
festive event for the Zhuangs. Other festivals include Yuangui Festival on July
15, March Third Festival, Tomb-Sweeping Day, Mid Autumn Festival on August 15,
Dragon Boat Festival, Double Ninth Festival, Fresh Tasting Festival, Midwinter,
Cow Spirit Festival, and Festival of Sending off the Kitchen God,
etc.
The preparation of the
Spring Festival usually starts after sending off the Kitchen God on the twelfth
month of the lunar year. Pigs are slain on the 27th, Zongzi
(glutinous rice dumpling) is made on the 28th and Ziba cake (a kind
of cake made of sticky rice) is made on 29th. On the eve, a whole
cooked cock is the most special dish on the table. On the 1st day of
the New Year, people drink sticky rice wine, and eat boiled rice dumpling. On
the 2nd day, they start visiting friends and relatives and pay the
New Year call. Their gifts include Ziba cake, Zongzi, pop rice candy, etc. It
lasts until the beginning of the Lantern Festival on January 15. In some
regions, it lasts until the end of January of the lunar calendar.
Tomb-Sweeping Day
On March 3, people will go to sweep tombs
according to their customs. On the occasion, every family will send people to
sweep tombs of ancestors with five colored rice and colored eggs. The elder will
narrate the family story and the rules of the clan. They will have a picnic
together including singing in an antiphonal style. Since 1940, the tradition has
been developed to the singing contest, which is more spectacular than
before.