ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Dajiao

Dajiao is a festival celebrated in some parts of China where people throw bananas at a statue of a god named Zhenwu to ask for good luck and protection.

Imagine you have a magical friend who can protect you and bring you good luck. You really want your friend to help you out, so you decide to give them a special gift as a thank you. In this case, the special gift is a banana!

But instead of giving the banana directly to your friend, you throw it at a statue of them. This might seem silly, but for some people, it’s a way to show respect and gratitude towards the god they believe in.

During the festival, people gather together and throw tons of bananas at the statue. It’s like a big party where everyone is trying to show their thanks to Zhenwu in the form of fruit.

Even though it might seem strange to some, the people who celebrate dajiao really believe that it can bring them good fortune and blessings. So for them, throwing bananas is a fun and meaningful way to connect with their culture and faith.