A brief
history of Dragon Boating

Dragon Boating
is an ancient Chinese Sport. It began in 278 B.C. while the
former state of Chu, which encompassed northern Hunan, was
being marched upon by Qin armies.
At this time the exiled poet Qu Yuan, was a great patriot
of Chu. Hearing of the imminent invasion, Qu picked up a
heavy stone anchor and threw himself in the nearby Miluo
River rather than see the state he loved conquered.
Distraught locals raced to save him in their boats, but
were too late. They returned later to scatter zongzi
(packets of meat and sticky rice wrapped up in reeds and
lotus leaves) into the river as offerings to Qu Yuan's
spirit.
The Dragon Boat Festival held throughout China on the fifth
day of the fifth lunar month (June or July) commemorates
the rowers' hopeless rush - though many historians trace
the traditional food offerings and annual boat races to
long before Qu's time. At any rate, it's a festival rather
than mournful occasion, with huge quantities of steamed
zongzi eaten and keen competitions between local
dragon-boat teams, who can be seen practicing in their
narrow, powerful boats months before the event, to the
steady boom of a pacing drum. It's a lively spectator sport
with crowds cheering their rowers along and you need to be
up early to get the most from the ceremonies - such as the
dedication of the dragon-headed prows. As before each race
is held a Buddhist ceremony to bless the boats and dot the
eyes of the dragon so they can see their way to the finish
line.
In Dragon Boating, each boat consist of twenty paddlers, a
caller or drummer, and a steers person. Races are 500
meters with some events having "Guts and Glory" races of
6000 meters. During all races the boats are equipped with
the head and tail of a dragon.
For more information, please email Regina at
resavag@aol.com