Duanwu

Duanwu is a traditional and statutory holiday originating in China. It is also known as the Dragon Boat Festival and is celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th month of the traditional Chinese calendar, which is the source of the festival's alternative name, the Double Fifth Festival.

History

The Duanwu Festival has been celebrated in China for over 2,000 years and is believed to have originated from dragon worship. The festival commemorates the life and death of the famous Chinese scholar Qu Yuan, who was a loyal minister of the King of Chu in the third century BCE. Qu Yuan drowned himself in the Miluo River in 278 BCE as a form of protest against the corruption of the era. Local people who admired him raced out in their boats to save him or at least retrieve his body. This is said to have been the origin of dragon boat races.

Customs

During Duanwu, a number of traditional customs and activities are held in memory of Qu Yuan, such as dragon boat racing, wearing silk to ward off evil spirits, and hanging up pouches of herbs. However, the most widespread activity is the making and eating of Zongzi, a kind of dumpling made from glutinous rice and wrapped in bamboo leaves.

Dragon Boat Racing

Dragon boat racing is the most exciting and popular activity during the Duanwu Festival. The wooden boats are shaped and decorated in the form of a Chinese dragon. The boat size varies by region or can be as long as the tradition in the local area. During the races, the rowers row vigorously to the beat of a drum.

Zongzi

Zongzi is a traditional Chinese food, made of glutinous rice stuffed with different fillings and wrapped in bamboo, reed, or other large flat leaves. They are cooked by steaming or boiling. In the early years, Zongzi was only filled with beans and wrapped in reed leaves. But now the fillings can be egg, beans, dates, fruits, sweet potato, walnuts, mushrooms, meat, or a combination of them. They are generally steamed.

Significance

The Duanwu Festival is a celebration of Chinese culture and spirit. It serves to bring communities together in a celebration that includes everyone, from the very young to the very old. The festival also encourages the expression of Chinese traditions and folklore.

See Also

• Chinese Festivals
• Qu Yuan
• Dragon Boat Racing
• Zongzi