Dragon Boat Festival

Dragon Boat Festival occurs on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese calendar, giving rise to the alternative name of Double Fifth Festival. The festival is also noted for its dragon-boat races, especially in the southern provinces, where there are many rivers and lakes. This regatta commemorates the death of Qu Yuan.

Qu Yuan was a minister in the kingdom of Chu situated in present-day Hunan and Hubei provinces, during the Warring States period (475 -221 BC). He was upright, loyal and highly esteemed for his wise counsel that had brought peace and prosperity to the kingdom. However, when a dishonest and corrupt prince vilified Qu Yuan, he was disgraced and dismissed from his office. Realizing that the country was now in the hands of evil and corrupt officials, Qu Yuan clasped a large stone and leaped into the Mi Lo River on the fifth day of the fifth month. Nearby fishermen rushed over and tried to save him, but they were unable even to recover his body. Thereafter, the kingdom declined and was eventually conquered by the kingdom of Qin.

The dragon-boat races represent the attempts to rescue and recover the body of Qu Yuan; it is also the way people show their respect and homage to the great man. Competitions are held between different clans, villages and organizations, and winners are awarded medals, banners, jugs of wine and festive meals.

Now, on the fifth day of the lunar fifth month, all Chinese people celebrate this festival by eating Zongzi.

Zongzi

Zongzi, a pyramid-shaped dumpling made of glutinous rice and wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves to give it a special flavor, varies greatly across China. Zongzi is often made of rice mixed with dates or red beans in Northern China. In Guangdong province, people stuff Zongzi with pork, ham, peanuts and other ingredients, making them very rich in flavor. In Sichuan Province, Zongzi is usually served with a sugar dressing.