The
Legend of the Dragon Boat Festival
Qu Yuan, a beloved
Chinese statesman, warrior, and poet, was banished by a corrupt government
after being falsely accused of treason. Despondent and displaying
a final act of protest against the government, Qu Yuan threw himself
into the Mi Lo River and drowned. Fishermen rushed to him in their
boats. Arriving too late, they recovered his body to protect it from
being devoured by fish. They beat their drums and threw rice dumplings
into the river to distract the fish, a tradition which continues today,
over 2,000 years later.
On the fifth day
of the fifth lunar month every year, usually in June, crews of paddlers
re-enact the frantic rush to save Qu Yuan by powering long boats through
the water with heads of dragons mounted on the bow. It might be that
the dragon head was added over the years to ward off evil water spirits,
as the combination of the two fives that designate the date for the
occassion is thought to be a bad omen. The dragon head is thought
to ward off evil spirits, protect the health of the people, and ensure
a good crop.
During the time
of the dragon boat festival, eating rice dumplings are part of the
celebration.
Today dragon boat
racing is done during the summer season all over the world. There
are over 20 million paddlers, and the sport continues to grow.
The
Eye-Dotting Ceremony
Dragons are revered
in Southeast Asia. Ancient Chinese emperors called themselves dragons,
so dragons became associated with good spirits. Dragon boats, by association
with ancient cultural traditions, are considered to have good spirits
that affects the racers who power them. Before races, priests offer
prayers to the spirits of the dragon boats and make offerings of fruit,
sweets, jasmine tea, alcohol, and rice. These offerings are said to
appease and calm the water spirits. If that is not done, legend says
that the water gods would clash with the dragon spirits of the boats,
with dire consequences.
Terminology
- Paddle:
Dragon boat paddlers face forward, plant their paddles in the water,
and pull the boat up to the paddle.
- Row:
Not what dragon boat paddlers do. Rowers face where they
have been.
- Getting
some tin: Winning or
placing in a race to earn a medal.
- Racer:
Any person on a dragon boat crew.
- Paddler:
One of 16-20 people who power the boat using a paddle.
- Steerer
or Tiller: Also called helm or steersperson, steers the boat
with a steering oar.
- Drummer:
Also might serve a boat captain or caller, beats the drum during
a race.
- Gonger:
Hits the gong during a race, in boats that have them.
- Flagcatcher:
Leans out of the boat over the head of the dragon to grab a flag
at the finish line for races that require them.
