The Dragon Boat Festival, known as Duanwu Jie in Chinese, is an annual event that brings together communities in celebration of ancient traditions and cultural heritage.
Falling on the 10th of June this year, corresponding to the 5th day of the 5th month in the lunar calendar, this festival has roots deeply embedded in the worship of natural phenomena and the veneration of dragons.
The festival has evolved over the centuries, becoming a significant cultural event commemorating the legendary poet Qu Yuan and fostering community spirit through various festivities.
The Dragon Boat Festival’s origins trace back to ancient times when people performed dragon sacrifices to honor natural elements and deities. However, the most popular legend associated with the festival is the story of Qu Yuan (339 BC – 278 BC), a revered statesman and poet of the Warring States period.
Qu Yuan, who served the state of Chu, is remembered for his unwavering patriotism and profound poetry. When he was wrongfully exiled and learned of the fall of his beloved state, he drowned himself in the Miluo River. In an attempt to save him or recover his body, local people raced out in boats and threw rice into the water to distract the fish, which evolved into the dragon boat races and the tradition of eating Zong Zi, sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves.
The Dragon Boat Festival holds the distinction of being the first major Chinese folk festival to be inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. This recognition highlights its rich integration of ancestral worship, prayers for protection against evil spirits, and community celebrations. The festival is marked by various activities, including dragon boat races, which are a symbol of strength, teamwork, and competitive spirit.
One of the most iconic aspects of the Dragon Boat Festival is the dragon boat racing. In Guangdong province, southern China, villages form their own teams, often comprising local elites and millionaires who take immense pride in their participation. These races are not merely about winning; they are deeply rooted in tradition and community honor. Team members train rigorously and strive to perform their best. In the event of a loss, the disappointment is palpable, and team members often show their remorse by kneeling in ancestral halls as a sign of respect and penance.
The festival is also synonymous with the consumption of Zong Zi, which comes in various fillings and flavors. These rice dumplings are enjoyed not only in China but also across East and Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand, showcasing the festival’s broad cultural influence.
In the Philippines, particularly in Binondo, the heart of Manila’s Chinatown, the festival is embraced with enthusiasm. While the waterways may not be suitable for dragon boat racing, the spirit of the festival is kept alive through the availability of Zong Zi and related festive products such as sachets filled with aromatic herbs.
