The eighth day of the fourth Chinese lunar month, falling on May 26 this year, marks the traditional Black Rice Festival of the Dong ethnic group. People purchased fragrant "black rice" at the Chengdong Market in Tongdao Dong Autonomous County on that day. (Photo/Chen Junyu) 

The eighth day of the fourth Chinese lunar month, falling on May 26 this year, marks the traditional Black Rice Festival of the Dong ethnic group. People purchased fragrant "black rice" at the Chengdong Market in Tongdao Dong Autonomous County on that day. (Photo/Chen Junyu) 

The eighth day of the fourth Chinese lunar month, falling on May 26 this year, marks the traditional Black Rice Festival of the Dong ethnic group. People purchased fragrant "black rice" at the Chengdong Market in Tongdao Dong Autonomous County on that day. (Photo/Chen Junyu)

Background:
Descendants of the Dong ethnic group, in order to commemorate their heroic ancestor who was saved by eating black rice, have established this 'Black Rice Festival', which has been passed down to the present day.

This article is from the Hunan Provincial Government www.enghunan.gov.cn.

Translator: Pang Yuehui

Chinese source: hunantoday