Dragon Boat Festival

The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival (端午节) in China, is a traditional holiday celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th month of the lunar calendar, which usually falls in June. It’s a festival rich in history and culture, marked by exciting dragon boat races, the eating of zongzi (sticky rice wrapped in bamboo leaves), and other regional customs.

Here are some key highlights of the festival:

1. Dragon Boat Races

• The most iconic part of the Dragon Boat Festival is the dragon boat races. Teams race in long, narrow boats, often decorated to look like dragons, as they paddle in sync to the beat of drums. These races symbolize the ancient search for the poet Qu Yuan (屈原), a figure celebrated during this festival.

2. Zongzi

• Zongzi are sticky rice dumplings filled with various ingredients like meats, beans, or nuts, wrapped in bamboo leaves, and steamed or boiled. They’re typically eaten during the festival to honor Qu Yuan, who is believed to have drowned in the Miluo River, and the zongzi were originally thrown into the river to prevent fish from eating his body.

3. Commemoration of Qu Yuan

• Qu Yuan was a patriotic poet and statesman in ancient China who drowned himself in the Miluo River to protest corruption and the failure of his homeland. People threw zongzi into the river to keep the fish away from his body, which evolved into the tradition of eating them today.

4. Herbal Sachets & Customs

• It is also common to wear herbal sachets or perfumed bags, which are believed to ward off evil spirits and illnesses, especially during the summer months.

The festival is celebrated not only in China but also in various parts of Asia, including Taiwan, Hong Kong, and other Southeast Asian countries. It’s a time for family gatherings, outdoor celebrations, and enjoying traditional foods and activities.