As we get closer to the Dragon Boat Festival, the air in my hometown is already buzzing with excitement. You can hear the rhythmic drumbeats from afar as teams begin practicing on the river — yes, the dragon boat races have started! It’s one of the most thrilling times of the year, and I want to take this chance to share a bit about this special festival and what it means to me.
What is the Dragon Boat Festival?
The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival (端午节), is a traditional Chinese holiday that usually falls in June. It commemorates Qu Yuan, a famous poet and loyal minister from ancient China. After being exiled for political reasons, he drowned himself in a river to show his love for his country. The local people raced out in boats to save him (or recover his body), which is why we race dragon boats today. They also threw zongzi (sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves) into the river to prevent the fish from eating his body — that’s why we still eat them now!
What’s Special About My Hometown During the Festival?
In my hometown, the Dragon Boat Festival is more than a holiday — it’s a celebration of community, tradition, and hometown pride.
- The river comes alive with colorful dragon boats, each carved with fierce-looking dragon heads and tails.
- Local teams train for weeks, and during the competition, you’ll hear cheering crowds, drumming beats, and splashes of oars cutting through the water.
- Families gather to make zongzi together, filling them with red bean, pork, salted egg yolk — or whatever special recipe has been passed down for generations.
- We also hang mugwort and calamus on our doors to keep away bad luck and welcome good health.
It’s not just about remembering history — it’s about living the tradition. Every year, I see how the festival brings people together. Neighbors chat while watching the races. Children laugh with sticky rice on their cheeks. And even those who have moved far away try to come home to be part of it.
Why This Festival Matters
Living in a fast-moving, global world, sometimes we forget to pause and connect with where we came from. The Dragon Boat Festival reminds me of my roots. It reminds me of the river I grew up by, the flavor of my mom’s homemade zongzi, and the sense of pride I feel when our team wins a race (or even just paddles well!).
So today, I just want to say: I’m not just someone working in international trade or writing blogs about kitchen utensils — I’m a real person from a real place, and this festival is a beautiful part of who I am.
If you ever get a chance to visit China during the Dragon Boat Festival, come to my hometown. I’ll save you a zongzi and a spot by the river. 😉
