Missouri Western celebrated China’s second largest festival, known as the Mid-Autumn Festival, on September 25. The event was open to students, faculty and to the public. It brought together many to appreciate and learn about the Chinese culture and customs.
Two weeks of preparation went into pulling off a successful afternoon. Chinese instructor Yiming Liu brought it all together. Liu who has only been at Western, and the United States, for a month expressed how being in the states has been.
“Actually I’m quite busy this month,” Liu said. “A lot of new things, a lot of new people- I have to try to settle in, and I think it’s a great opportunity to learn something; no homesickness for me. I’m still learning; I’m still learning new things. I think it’s fascinating and interesting for me to spend a year here.”
The Mid-Autumn Festival is annually celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month on the night of the full moon. It is the second most important holiday next to the Chinese New Year. The festival focuses on family gathering, giving thanks and prayer. This celebration holds great sentimental value to Chinese culture and has a long history.
“Actually it has a history of over 1,500 years,” Liu said. “There’s a moon goddess called Chang’e in China. There’s a well known story about the moon goddess; it’s kind of a worship, and the full moon is round and it indicates the reunion.”
With the United States being so diverse, it is important to know about other cultures and countries. Liu expressed the importance for people to know more about the Chinese culture.
“I think for American people your culture is [a] melting pot,” Liu said. “You’re open-minded to all different kinds of cultures. So I think the Mid-Autumn Festival- this culture is kind of traditional and the essence of our culture- so I think it can promote the intercultural communication and enhance the cultural sense of the students.”
During the event there was a slideshow giving the history of the Mid-Autumn Festival and its significance to the Chinese culture. Freshman Shiqing Ong got the opportunity to participate in a traditional costume show. As Ong displayed the dress, Liu explained the purpose of the traditional piece, and a slideshow displayed different styles of the dress. Ong wore a red version of the traditional dress, known as a hanfu. Hanfu is the traditional dress of the Han Chinese people. It is mostly worn during festivals or coming of age ceremonies.
Guest speakers, professor Dana Andrews and musician Fred Weems shared their experiences. Andrews spent a semester teaching English to students in China, and Weems spent a semester in China as a student. Music and traditional games, such as picking up marbles with chopsticks and Jiguchuanhua (drum and flower), allowed the audience to participate.
The drum and flower game could be seen as an equivalent to the game hot potato. During the game, a drummer plays while the participants pass the flower. When the drummer stops, the person holding the flower must put on a performance of choice such as telling a joke, singing a song, dancing, or answering a question. Then the game continues.
Instead of a drum, Liu played music and audience members pass around a decorated ball. When the music stopped, the audience member who held the ball had to answer a question about Chinese culture such as a symbol used for Chinese culture and the current president of China. It was a great way for audience members to relax, have fun and learn more about the culture.
Liu and Weems performed a duet of the popular folk song Kangding Qing Ge, also known as Kangding Love Song. The song originates from the City of Kangding in the Province of Sichuan in China; the song is widely known in China. Weems played the guitar as they both sang the traditional piece. Freshman Mmeng Wang also performed a song during the event. Wang expressed how the festival is important to her.
“[The] Mid-Autumn festival is very important for [the] Chinese year,” Wang said. “We want to let more Americans know our culture.”
After the ceremony, guests gathered and helped themselves to mooncakes, a traditional food served at the Mid-Autumn Festival, and tea. Guests also had the opportunity to write Chinese characters on fabric, which they could keep for themselves.
The event contained many memorable moments and really gave guests the chance to experience the essence of the Chinese culture and see the significance the Mid-Autumn Festival to the Chinese culture.
“China has a very glorious history,” Wang said. “Chinese people think that the family connection is very important. I hope American people can experience that. I’m glad to let more people know Chinese culture.”
The function had a great turnout from students, faculty and citizens from the community. It brought together many people to celebrate an important event in the Chinese culture. Attendees left with a better understanding of the impact the Mid-Autumn Festival to the Chinese culture.