The Dragon Boat Festival, or Duanwu Festival, is one of the most important traditional Chinese festivals – a time when people pay homage to their ancestors, pray for good luck and ward off evil spirits. Celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month on the Chinese lunar calendar, it fell on June 10 this year.
Legends about Duanwu's origins are plentiful. Some trace the tradition back to the Spring and Autumn period (770 BC-476 BC), when the ethnic Baiyue people of southern China observed it as a festival of totem worship. However, the most widespread belief is that the festival commemorates the ancient poet Qu Yuan (340 BC-278 BC), who jumped into the river out of love for his beloved but failing motherland in the state of Chu.
Festivities for Duanwu vary across China’s regions, yet they share common traditions. One such tradition is eating zongzi, a delicious delicacy made of sticky rice with assorted fillings, wrapped in bamboo leaves. 🌾🥟 Whether sweet or salty, zongzi flavors reflect the natural nuances of each area, making every bite a unique celebration of culture and heritage.
