Dragon Boat Festival 端午節

This festival is celebrated with Rice Dumplings on 5th day of 5th lunar month

The Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race UK was first held in 1829

Our Chinese Dragon Boat Race dates back 2000 years!

It is a festival to commemorate Qu Yuan 屈原 (340-278 BC), an ancient Chinese patriotic poet and politician

He lived during turbulent times in the Warring States

Corrupt ministers slandered him and he was exiled

He was reinstated later but he could not bring peace to the motherland

He drowned himself when he heard that the capital of his motherland was captured

Popular legend has it that villagers tried in vain to save him in their boats

In order to prevent the fish from eating his body the villagers made a lot of noise with their oars and splashed the water and threw food into the river

A memoriam was held annually to honour Qu Yuan

A boat race will be held to remember him for his tragic death on 5th day 5th lunar month

The villagers made dumplings 粽子 to offer to the spirit of Qu Yuan

The day is a sad one and no auspicious events like weddings can take place

My mother loved the festival as a young girl although she was never allowed to attend the boat race

My grandmother Po Po 婆婆 is constantly fearful that she may get lost in the crowds or worse still kidnapped

On the morning of the festival my grandfather Kong Kong 公公 and my uncle 舅舅 Kow Fu will be up early to prepare for the boat race

My Kong Kong will tie a very tight sash round the waist of Kow Fu

Kow Fu was tasked as the drummer. The sash keeps his back straight and gives his upper torso strength to beat the drums. It also prevents slouching

Kow Fu is the jia you 加油 (add oil to the flames) cheerleader!

The explosive booming sound of the drum gives rhythm to the crew. It is the adrenaline rush for the rowers

It is also to engage the spectators by the banks of the river

The explosive sound must not trail off because the crew will lose strength, direction, flag and crumble

All competitors are young males, fit and powerful. My Kow Fu was trained by Kong Kong in martial arts

It is a tradition for the drummer to throw man tou 饅頭 (plain steamed bun) into the river before the start and at end of the race to feed the fish

Man tou is less messy than sticky rice dumplings

Kow Fu will always keep a few pieces 饅頭 to bring home to his beloved sister (my mother)

She remembers being so excited and happy while waiting for 哥哥(big brother) to come home

It is such a special loving gesture between older brother and baby sister

Her beautiful memories flood back every time she talks about Kow Fu

Do you remember my Breakfast by the Cemetery recipe ? Link to recipe : https://www.justlouisaz.com/breakfast-by-the-cemetry

My Kow Fu could only get a job as a grave digger when he came over from China

He was paid pittance like 20 cents per grave

He even had to dig graves on first day of Chinese New Year if needed

There was so much human abuse during those early days 😔

We kids loved our Kow Fu. We find it so much fun to walk in his red wooden clogs and fall over 🤭

I am proud that I still possess the skills to make rice dumplings to celebrate the festival

No salt added. I allowed the glutamate flavour in the ingredients to develop into a palatable taste 🤤

It is very hard work 🥵🥴 but it is worth it 🙂

Louisaz says continue to keep our Chinese traditions alive!