Hefei, abbreviated as “Lu” or “He”, which was called Luzhou or Luyang in ancient times, is the provincial capital of Anhui. Hefei got its name from the fact that both Dongfei River and Nanfei River have their sources here. Dating back to the Neolithic Age, there were human activities in Hefei area. As a result, local folk customs are long-standing as well as diverse, serving as an extraordinary representative of Chinese culture.
合肥，简称庐或合，古称庐州、庐阳，是安徽省省会，因东淝河与南淝河均发源于此而得名。早在新石器时代，合肥地区就有人类活动。因此，合肥当地的民俗源远流长、丰富多彩，为中华一绝。
When it comes to celebrating the New Year, there are two main differences between the way people in Hefei do and the way people from other places in China do——One is “Burning the fragrant charcoal”, the other is setting off firecrackers all night long. “Burning the fragrant charcoal” is a tradition that all families pour vinegar into red charcoal in their houses after doing cleaning on New Year’s Eve. The instance the vinegar touches the charcoal, smoke and fog circle around. With the purpose of purifying the air and avoiding the evil, then people will close the doors. After having New Year dinner, people start to have firecrackers. All night till dawn, the consistent “boom-bang” is deafening, with fire leaping up to the sky, which is like that hordes of troops and horses are attacking a city. Nowadays, these traditions fade somewhat. However, compared with the situation nationwide, those in Hefei are still remarkable and typical.
合肥人过年有两点与全国不同：一是要“打香炭”；二是鞭炮通宵达旦。“打香炭”即在大年三十扫尘后，家家都要在屋内用醋浇红木炭，刹时，浓烟滚滚，烟雾缭绕，这时闭上大门，以求净化空气，去邪避灾。吃罢年饭后，开始燃放鞭炮，从晚上到次日早上，连续不断，炮声震耳欲聋，火光冲天，大有千军万马攻城之势。如今，此风虽有所消退，但较全国而言，仍属数一数二。
In Hefei dialect, women are called “nai nai”. Therefore, Wife’s Day has another name——“Nai Nai’s Day”. At old times, according to folk customs, the period from New Year’s Eve to Lantern Festival is the time for the Spring Festival. During the festival, household chores like making meals and washing dishes are all done by wife. After Lantern Festival, which means that the Spring Festival comes to an end, the busy wife is supposed to take a break. Consequently, On Wife’s Day, things such as cooking are all taken by men.
方言习称妇女为“奶奶”，故又将媳妇节称作“奶奶节”。旧时，民间传统习俗，自春节到正月十五日，都为年期。此间，洗涮烧煮等诸家务活都是由媳妇承担的，过了正月十五，便是过了年期，一直忙忙碌碌的媳妇，在这时当歇一歇，松口气，故在媳妇节这天，家庭烧煮一类的炊事，概由男人承担。
“lei” is the bronze ware our ancestors used to keep wine. Speaking of the spread and use of “lei” in Anhui area, wine is the complement we had to mention. The wine culture in Anhui lays foundation for “lei” culture, which later helps form Hefei people’s habit of “clinking lei” gradually. “Clinking lei” means swigging down, demonstrating the hospitality of Hefei people——They are never stingy with good wine and delicacies when treating their guests. Hefei people use “lei” to propose a toast, expressing the respect and welcome from the host to the guests. Even if we meet for the first time, our relationships can be enhanced quickly through “clinking lei”.
“罍”是我们祖先盛酒的青铜器。谈起“罍”在安徽地区的流传和使用，就不得不提到一种与其相配的东西---酒。“安徽地区的酒文化，使得‘罍’文化有了生长的土壤，后来逐渐形成了合肥人炸罍子的风俗习惯。”“炸罍子”是指一饮而尽，说明合肥人热情好客，招待客人，从不吝啬美酒好菜。合肥人敬酒用“罍”，表达主人对客人的尊重和欢迎。即使我们初次见面，通过炸罍子的方式也很快能够增进感情。
On the Mid-autumn Festival, apart from moon cakes, Hefei people also eat Baohe fiber-free （which means selfless in Chinese Pin Yin）lotus root. As legend has it, when Bao Zheng was in his later life, Renzong wanted to confer half of Hefei City to him, but Bao refused. However, Renzong firmly insisted, and finally Bao got a part of the fosse. Bao felt extremely uneasy. Once he saw the lotus roots in the fosse, he got an idea. He set a rule that the lotus roots in the fosse can be made as food but can’t be sold for money. It’s strange that the lotus roots in other places have fibers connected when fractured, while those in Baohe River have no fiber left. From then on, there was a two-part allegorical saying in Hefei: Lotus roots in Baohe River——No fiber(which means selfless in Chinese Pin Yin). Bao Zheng’s later generations abided by his teachings and had Baohe lotus roots with crystal sugar on Mid-autumn Festival to show their pure mind, impartial and incorruptible, like their ancestor. This practice was followed by many people and thus turned into a tradition.
中秋节，合肥人除吃月饼外，还要吃包河无丝（无私）藕。传说包拯晚年，仁宗要把半个合肥城封给包公，包公拒绝。但仁宗一定要封赐，最后把一段护城河封给他。包公心里很不安，他看到护城河里的藕荷，遂对藕荷作了规定：河藕能吃不能卖。说也怪，别地的藕是藕断丝连,但包河藕无丝。从此合肥地区便留下一句歇后语：“包河藕—无丝(私)”。包拯后人恪守这一遗训，并在中秋这天品尝包河藕,加冰糖，以示“冰心无私”。这一美德人们竞相效法，遂成风俗。
Nowadays, with the help of reform and opening up, Hefei is going to the world arena with a brand-new look, welcome guests all around the world with bright smiles and make friends with them. Welcome to Hefei——A Lake City of Innovation, and just experience the folk customs there yourself!
如今，借助改革开放的春风，合肥正以崭新的姿态走向国际，笑迎天下客，广交世界朋友。欢迎你来合肥——大湖名城、创新高地，亲身体验庐州的民风民俗！
Translator: Zhang Boya
Time: 2020-2-5
