The Dragon Boat Festival, (Duan Wu), is celebrated on the fifth of May in lunar calendar. It is one of the most important Chinese festivals. This years it falls on May 28th.While many stories regarding its origin abound, the most popular and widely accepted version regards Qu Yuan, a minister of the Zhou Emperor during the Warring States Period (475 - 221 BC) He was a wise and articulate man, who was loved by the common people.He did much to fight against the rampent corruption that plagued the court, thereby earning the envy and fear of the other officals. Finally, those officials pressured the Emperor to have him removed from service. In exile, he traveled, taught and wrote for several years. Hearing that the Zhou had been defeated by the Qin, he fell into despair and threw himself into the Milou River.
Starting from that time, people commemorate Qu Yuan through Dragon Boat Races, eating zong zi, and several other activities, on the anniversary of his death: the fifth day of the fifth lunar month.
Dragon Boat races are the most exciting part of the festival, drawing crowds of spectators. Dragon Boats are generally brightly painted and decorated canoes. Ranging anywhere from 40 to 100 feet in length, their heads are shaped like open-mouthed dragons, while the sterns end with a scaly tail. 
Depending on the length, up to 80 rowers can power the boat. A drummer and flagcatcher stand at the front of the boat. Before a dragon boat enters competition, it must be "brought to life" by painting the eyes in a sacred ceremony.
Depending on the length, up to 80 rowers can power the boat. A drummer and flagcatcher stand at the front of the boat. Before a dragon boat enters competition, it must be "brought to life" by painting the eyes in a sacred ceremony. The traditional food for the Dragon Boat Festival, Zong zi, is a glutinous rice ball, with a filling, wrapped in bulrush leaves. The fillings can be egg, beans, dates, fruits, sweet potato, walnuts, mushrooms, meat, or a combination of them. They are generally steamed.
Last year, one of my students brought me one of these delicious treats. He told me that the shape of the packet (it looked a little bit different than the picture posted on this blog) was meant to represent a boot. The boot had some significance to the story of Qu Yuan--was it that he took his boots off before he jumped in the water? Sorry to say I can't remember anymore. Thanks for sharing this story!
ReplyDeleteNow I see that the river stone glutenous rice balls and these Zong zi look different. Both look delicious!
ReplyDeleteIs there any place one can watch Dragon Boat races in this area?
There has been Dragon Boat Races for years in LA. I just googled it. Check the information here. This is the information of last year. Unfortunately, due to the current economic situation, this year's celebration is cancelled. Let's wait for the next year!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.lotusfestival.org/register
Thanks, adrifter. I've heard of the Lotus Festival. Too bad it's canceled this year, but not surprising. :-(
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