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DRAGON BOAT
FESTIVAL |
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Fifth Moon, Day
5
(June) Click
for western date >>
This
Festival, also known as Tuen Ng Festival, commemorates the death
of a popular Chinese national hero, Qu Yuan, who drowned himself in
the Mi Lo River over 2,000 years ago to protest against the corrupt
rulers. Legend says that as townspeople attempted to rescue him, they
beat drums to scare fish away and threw dumplings into the sea to keep
the fish from eating Qu Yuan's body. |
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The real highlight
of the festival is the fierce dragon
boats racing in a lively, vibrant spectacle. Teams race the
elaborately decorated dragon boats to the beat of heavy drums.
The special boats,
which measure more than 10 metres, have ornately carved and painted "dragon" heads
and tails, and each carries a crew of 20-22 paddlers.
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Participants train in earnest
for the competition. Sitting two abreast, with a steersman at the
back and a drummer at the front, the paddlers race to reach the finishing
line, urged on by the pounding drums and the roar of the crowds.
 Today,
festival activities recall this legendary event. People eat rice-and-meat
dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves; and many look forward to swimming
or even simply dipping their hands in the water.
Join a Dragon Boat Festival Tour to enjoy this colourful festival.
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