Duanwu Festival, also known as Duanyang Festival and Chongwu Festival, is one of the traditional Chinese festivals. The origin of this festival can be traced back to the Warring States period. According to legend, Qu Yuan, a great doctor of the state of Chu, was ostracized by the nobles because of his concern for the country and the people, and eventually threw himself into the river to kill himself. In order to prevent fish and shrimp from eating Qu Yuan's body, the people put rice dumplings by the river to commemorate Qu Yuan. Later, the Dragon Boat Festival gradually evolved into a festival of remembrance and worship.

Customs of the Dragon Boat Festival

1. Eating Zongzi

Zongzi is the traditional food of the Dragon Boat Festival. The method of making zongzi varies from region to region, but they are generally made of glutinous rice, meat, bean paste and other ingredients wrapped in bamboo or calamus leaves and steamed. Eating zongzi is not only to honor Qu Yuan, but also to pray for health and peace.

2. Dragon Boat Racing

Dragon boat racing is another traditional activity of the Dragon Boat Festival. According to legend, after Qu Yuan threw himself into the river, the people rowed their boats to look for his body, which evolved into the tradition of rowing dragon boats in search of Qu Yuan. Nowadays, dragon boat racing has become a national sport and is held everywhere.

3. Hanging Mugwort Leaves

Another custom of the Dragon Boat Festival is to hang Mugwort leaves. Mugwort leaves are a kind of herb that has the effect of repelling mosquitoes and evil spirits. During the Dragon Boat Festival, people would hang mugwort leaves at the door or in the room to ward off evil spirits.

Steps to make dumplings

1. Prepare materials: glutinous rice, pork, green onion, ginger, bean curd, mushrooms, peanuts, five-spice powder, soy sauce, salt, white pepper, bamboo leaves, thin rope.

2. Soak the glutinous rice for 1 hour, cut the pork, scallion, ginger, bean curd, shiitake mushroom and peanuts into small pieces.

3. Add the chopped pork, green onion, ginger, bean curd, shiitake mushrooms and peanuts to the glutinous rice, add appropriate amount of soy sauce, salt, white pepper and five-spice powder, and mix well.

4. Soak the bamboo leaves in water, then scald with boiling water.

5. Spread the bamboo leaves, put the glutinous rice on the bamboo leaves and tie it with a thin rope.

6. Put the bundled dumplings into a steamer and steam them for 2-3 hours.

7. Take out the dumplings, let them cool and serve.

Ending

The Dragon Boat Festival is one of the important traditional Chinese festivals with a long history and rich cultural connotation. During this festival, people eat zongzi, race dragon boats, and hang mugwort leaves as a way to honor Qu Yuan and pray for health and peace. Although making zongzi is a bit tedious, it is also a very meaningful thing to DIY it at home. Let's come together to feel the charm of this traditional festival!