In Guanghan, Sichuan province, a traditional Chinese custom known as la bao bao involves visiting parks to find strangers to be godfathers for children, believed to bring good health. This practice, known as the Baobao Festival, is celebrated on the 16th day of the first lunar month and has been a cherished tradition for centuries. Bao bao means godfather in the local dialect.
The 300-year-old custom dates back to the Kangxi period of the Qing dynasty (1644–1911) and evolved from the practice of “roaming to cure all illnesses.” After celebrating the Lantern Festival on the fifth day of the first lunar month, people would dress festively and spend the day outdoors, believing that “roaming around” would ward off illnesses and bring good fortune.
Legend has it that during one such outing, a mother and daughter were harassed by ruffians until they reached the magistrate’s office. The mother claimed the magistrate was the girl’s godfather, prompting the magistrate to affirm this and scare off the harassers. This story inspired people to seek godfathers during their spring outings, gradually developing into the Baobao Festival. Since 1985, the festival has been an annual cultural event, drawing those eager to find or become a godfather.
Typically, children seeking godfathers are under 10 years old. Adults hoping to become godfathers dress impressively to appear fortunate and enhance their chances of being chosen. During the festival, facilitators mingle with the crowd, placing a child’s “piglet hat” on the head of a potential godfather when they find someone suitable and introducing him to the child’s parents. If the parents approve, they hand their child to the chosen person, who then lifts the child, symbolizing the establishment of the godfather relationship. They then visit a fortune teller to match their birth dates and formalize the relationship.
Local customs dictate that godfathers cannot volunteer and must be chosen, often with the help of relatives, friends, or other attendees and facilitators. Middle-aged men who appear well-off are particularly sought after. The crowd often bursts into laughter when a man is jokingly “forced” by strangers to become a godfather.
The Baobao Festival is a unique and enduring cultural tradition that not only strengthens community bonds but also provides a whimsical and heartfelt way for families to seek blessings and good health for their children.
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