Dragon Boat Festival: How it is celebrated in Singapore and around the world
Celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar, the festival honours Chinese patriot and poet Qu Yuan.
SINGAPORE — Today (22 June), many Chinese around the world will celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival, also known in Singapore as the Duan Wu jie.
This festival, which occurs on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Lunar Calendar each year, commemorates the life and death of the Chinese patriot and poet Qu Yuan, who is regarded as a national hero.
It is believed that the festival may have ancient roots related to the fifth lunar month, known as the "month of poison", when epidemics were prevalent during the early hot days of summer.
Although not an official public holiday in Singapore, the Dragon Boat Festival is widely observed in the country as an important cultural event.
In fact, the the Dragon Boat festival has been listed as one of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) since 2009.
People celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival in various ways around the world. Here are some of the ways this festival is observed.
Dragon boat racing in Singapore
Dragon boat racing is probably the most popular event associated with Duan Wu jie. It is a traditional Chinese water sport.
The water sport involves 22 crews paddling a dragon-shaped boat harmoniously to the beat of percussion instruments.
In Singapore, dragon boat racing has become an important sport since its first competition in 1978. The winning team is believed to receive good luck and happiness in the following year.
Visitors and members of the public can also participate in the dragon boat racing, especially those who want to learn to paddle a boat.
If you are interested in enjoying the thrilling experience of joining the race, head out to Kallang River or Bedok Reservoir Park to learn first-hand from professional dragon boaters.
Children's Day in Japan
In Japan, the Dragon Boat Festival, known as Duanwu Festival in China, has been celebrated since the Heian period (794-1185). Originally called Tango no Sekku, it falls on the fifth day of the fifth moon in the Chinese calendar, which corresponds to May 5th in the Gregorian calendar, and , the same date as the Dragon Boat Festival
This day is now known as Children's Day in Japan since 1948.
Like the Chinese, Japanese people on this day eat special foods like kashiwa-mochi, a sticky rice cake filled with red bean jam and wrapped in oak leaves, similar to zongzi, and drink calamus wine.
The calamus is believed to advocate strength and symbolises the wish for children to grow healthy and strong.
Another popular delicacy served during Children’s Day is chimaki, a sticky sweet rice wrapped in an iris or bamboo leaf.
Gangneung Danoje Festival in South Korea
The Gangneung Danoje Festival has its roots in the Chinese Duanwu Festival, and has been celebrated since the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897) in South Korea.
This festival, originally called Surit-nal, runs for 20 days that usually end on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar.
South Koreans celebrate through various activities such as throwing pots, wrestling, swinging, football matches and taekwondo, and praying for a good harvest, happiness and good health.
Dragon Boat Festivals in western countries
It's not just Asian countries that celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival. Several Western countries, including the United States, Canada, and some European countries like Germany, also celebrate this festival through dragon boat races.
In Canadian cities with thriving Chinese communities like Toronto and Vancouver, the Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated annually with competitive races and cultural activities like concerts.
The event throughout the years has become so massive that the city’s social calendar also commemorates the festival, with local and foreign tourists flocking to the areas each year to witness the festivities.
In Germany, the dragon boat tradition was first introduced in Germany over 30 years ago. It was officially launched in Hamburg in 1989 to mark the 800th anniversary of the city’s port.
It was moved to Frankfurt in 1991 and has been known as the Frankfurt International Dragonboat Festival since.
These celebrations reflect the diverse ways in which Chinese culture and traditions are shared and celebrated around the world. The Dragon Boat Festival brings communities together, promotes cultural exchange, and provides an opportunity to appreciate its rich heritage and influence on other cultures.
Marvin Joseph Ang is a news and lifestyle writer who focuses on politics, the economy, and pop culture. Follow him on Twitter at @marvs30ang for latest news and updates.
