Sunday Times 2
Season of the Dragon Boat Festival
View(s):The fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar year is an important day for the Chinese People. The day is called Duan Wu Festival or Dragon Boat Festival,celebrated everywhere in China.This year this day fell on June 18. This festival dates back to about 2000 years ago,with a number of legends explaining its origin.The best known story centre on a great patriotic Poet named Qu Yuan.
Hong Kong celebrates the Dragon Boat Festival. Reuters/Jeremy Lee
He committed suicide as his province was captured by the ruler of another province in 278 B C.In memory of him every year on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar,the day he drowned himself, Dragon boat races which are said to represent the search for his body,are held and the Chinese people eat Zong Zi, little packets of glutinous rice wrapped in Bamboo leaves which was originally thrown into the river to keep the fish from eating the body of Qu Yuan .
In addition it is said that when hearing the news of Qu Yuan’s suicide some doctors poured realgar wine into the Miluo river to anaesthetize the fish hence preventing them from eating Qu Yuan’s body. The main event of the festivities is the Dragon Boat race.These boats are long and narrow with Dragon heads on the bow.The boat races are said to represent the search for Qu’s body ,with racing boats in a forward rowing motion,to the rhythm of beating drums. It is a popular practice to drink Realgar wine at the Dragon Boat Festival.This is for protection from evil and disease for the rest of the year.
During these festival days Chinese people carry a small spice bag around with them, it not only drives away evil spirits but also brings fortune and happiness to those who wear it.The small bags are hand made by local craftmen. They are red,yellow,green and blue silk,fine satin or cotton.Figures of animals,flowers and fruits are often embroidered onto the bags and inside are mixed Chinese herbal medicines. - Jinith De Silva