The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival, is a traditional Chinese holiday celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th month of the lunar calendar, which usually falls in May or June in the Gregorian calendar. It is a significant cultural and folk festival observed in many East Asian countries, including China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and other regions with Chinese communities.

The festival has a history of over 2,000 years and is primarily associated with the commemoration of the ancient poet and statesman Qu Yuan. Qu Yuan was a renowned poet and loyal minister during the Warring States period in ancient China. Legend has it that when his country was conquered, he drowned himself in the Miluo River as an act of protest against corruption and injustice.

To prevent fish and evil spirits from devouring Qu Yuan’s body, people raced their boats on the river, banging drums and throwing rice dumplings (zongzi) into the water to distract them. This practice eventually evolved into the modern Dragon Boat Festival, characterized by dragon boat races and the consumption of zongzi.

The main activities during the Dragon Boat Festival include dragon boat races, where teams of rowers paddle vigorously to the rhythm of a drumbeat while racing in long, narrow boats adorned with dragon heads and tails. These races are held on rivers, lakes, or other bodies of water and attract both participants and spectators.

Another prominent tradition of the festival is the making and eating of zongzi, which are sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves. Zongzi typically contain various fillings, such as beans, nuts, meats, or sweet ingredients. The process of making zongzi involves soaking the glutinous rice, filling it with the desired ingredients, wrapping it tightly in bamboo leaves, and then boiling or steaming it.

In addition to dragon boat races and zongzi, the Dragon Boat Festival also includes other customs and practices, such as hanging up pouches of herbs to ward off evil spirits, wearing colorful silk threads to protect against evil, and displaying pictures of Zhong Kui, a mythical figure believed to repel evil spirits.

Overall, the Dragon Boat Festival is a time for people to pay homage to Qu Yuan, enjoy festive activities, strengthen community bonds, and celebrate Chinese culture and traditions.

Eating rice dumplings

Zongzi, also known as sticky rice dumplings, are a traditional Chinese food made from glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo leaves and typically filled with various ingredients. They are commonly enjoyed during the Dragon Boat Festival, a significant holiday in China that commemorates the ancient poet Qu Yuan.

The main component of zongzi is glutinous rice, also called sticky rice or sweet rice. This type of rice has a naturally sticky texture when cooked, which gives zongzi its characteristic chewiness. The rice is soaked in water and sometimes flavored with ingredients like soy sauce or other seasonings to enhance its taste.

To make zongzi, the soaked glutinous rice is typically combined with a variety of fillings, which can vary regionally and according to personal preferences. Traditional fillings include marinated pork belly, salted duck egg yolk, Chinese sausage (lap cheong), shiitake mushrooms, and dried shrimp. Other optional ingredients such as chestnuts, mung beans, or peanuts may also be added for additional texture and flavor.

The rice and fillings are then wrapped tightly in bamboo leaves, which have been softened by boiling or soaking in water. The leaves are usually triangular or cone-shaped, and the wrapping technique varies depending on regional customs. Some zongzi are secured with string or bamboo leaves, while others are folded in a particular way.

The prepared zongzi are typically steamed or boiled for several hours until the glutinous rice becomes fully cooked and tender. The cooking process allows the flavors from the fillings to infuse into the rice, creating a fragrant and savory treat.

Zongzi can be enjoyed hot or cold, and they are often unwrapped before eating. The bamboo leaves are discarded, revealing the delicious sticky rice and flavorful fillings inside. Zongzi is a popular snack or meal during the Dragon Boat Festival but can also be found throughout the year in Chinese communities and restaurants worldwide.