On the occasion of the Mid-Autumn Festival, our project site in Nigeria came alive with lanterns, laughter, and the aroma of mooncakes.
The project team organized a special celebration to introduce our Nigerian colleagues to the beauty of Chinese traditional culture while also creating space for Chinese staff to learn about Nigerian traditions surrounding the moon.
It was an evening of storytelling, poetry, and shared joy—a true meeting of two cultures under one bright moon.
Sharing the Story of Mid-Autumn Festival
The event began with Chinese staff presenting the origins and customs of the Mid-Autumn Festival through pictures and stories.
From the legend of Chang’e flying to the moon to the tale of Wu Gang and the cassia tree, from moon-gazing and mooncake-eating to lantern displays and riddle games, each cultural symbol sparked curiosity and delight among our Nigerian colleagues.
The Chinese team also explained the deep meaning of “reunion” in Chinese culture—on this night, no matter how far apart, people look up at the same moon and send their thoughts and blessings to loved ones.
Nigerian colleagues nodded in understanding, noting that while cultures differ, their own value for family togetherness resonates deeply with this Chinese tradition.
A Dialogue of Moon Cultures: Listening to African Voices
Culture grows richer through exchange. In the “Moon Culture Sharing” session, Nigerian colleagues warmly shared their own stories and meanings associated with the moon.
Some spoke of local legends linking the moon to harvest and love; others explained how, in different Nigerian communities, the moon serves as a guide for time and seasons.
One Nigerian colleague smiled and said, “Here, a full moon night is also a time for gathering, storytelling, singing, and dancing—very much like your Mid-Autumn Festival!” Laughter and applause filled the room.
Chinese staff also shared how the moon appears in poetry and folk customs across different regions of China.
Together, Chinese and Nigerian colleagues discovered that despite the distance between us, our shared gaze at the moon and longing for beauty have already brought our hearts closer.
Learning Chinese Poetry, Experiencing the Beauty of Language
“明月几时有，把酒问青天” (“When will the bright moon appear? I raise my cup and ask the blue sky.”) and “举头望明月，低头思故乡” (“I lift my head to gaze at the bright moon, and lower it to think of my hometown.”) In the poetry session, Chinese staff taught Nigerian colleagues to recite Su Shi’s Shui Diao Ge Tou and Li Bai’s Jing Ye Si line by line.
Nigerian colleagues followed along earnestly. Though their pronunciation was still tentative, their focus and enthusiasm were deeply moving.
Chinese staff patiently explained the meaning of each verse. Upon hearing “但愿人长久，千里共婵娟” (“May we all be blessed with longevity; though far apart, we share the same beautiful moon”), Nigerian colleagues remarked that this was not only Chinese poetry but a sentiment shared by all humanity.
In the sound of recitation, poetry became a bridge connecting Chinese and African cultures.
Sharing Mooncakes, Sweetness That Touches the Heart
At the end of the event, the project team presented beautifully prepared mooncakes to Nigerian colleagues. Chinese staff explained the symbolism—”the round mooncake represents reunion and completeness”—and invited everyone to taste them.
Lotus seed paste, red bean paste, mixed nuts… the different flavors won enthusiastic praise. One Nigerian colleague, holding a mooncake, said with emotion, “This is my first time eating mooncake. It’s not just sweet—it makes me feel the care and thoughtfulness the project team has for us.” A small mooncake carried friendship across borders and sweetness into every heart.
Mutual Learning, Building the Future Together
This Mid-Autumn celebration allowed Nigerian colleagues to experience the unique charm of Chinese culture up close, while Chinese staff gained a deeper understanding of African traditions surrounding the moon.
In a relaxed and joyful atmosphere, Chinese and Nigerian colleagues deepened mutual understanding, strengthened friendship, and felt the warmth of home at the project site—our “second hometown.”
This was a vivid practice of China-Africa cultural exchange and a warm reflection of people-to-people connectivity.
Going forward, the project team will continue to use traditional festivals as opportunities to build more platforms for China-Africa cultural exchange, so that Chinese and Nigerian colleagues can walk side by side and write a shared chapter of cooperation and mutual success.
Under the full moon, China and Africa meet. May this friendship across mountains and seas shine forever bright, like the Mid-Autumn moon.
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