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