Marked to commemorate the death of Chinese folk hero Qu Yuan the Dragon Boat Festival is one of the highlight cultural events in the Hong Kong calendar. Celebrated on the fifth day of the 5th lunar month according to the Chinese calendar, the festival takes centre stage in June each year. Also known as the Tuen Ng Festival the event’s beginning dates back nearly 2000 years when Qu Yuan, died by drowning himself in the Mi Lo River as a protest against the corrupt ways of the ruling elite. The legend states that the townsfolk attempted to save the life of this national figure by pounding drums to frighten the fish in the river away. They also threw rice dumplings in to the waters to keep the Qu Yuan safe from being fed on by fish.
The chief highlight at the event is of course the highly anticipated dragon boat race from which the festival derives its name. As a colourful spectacle that draws crowds from all across Asia and the world the fierce battle for supremacy on the river sees teams race one another in an exciting competition like no other. The boats cast vibrant figures against the glistening surface of the water as the elaborately decorated vessels also feature painted on dragon heads as well as tails. A boat’s entire crew can include up to 22 paddlers who rhythmically push the boat forward with all their might. A steersman sits at the back of the boat while a drummer beats at his instrument fervently up front. Encouraged and urged forward by the cheering multitudes and the vigorous beating of drums the race across the finish line is a true test of grit, might and sheer skill in navigating a vessel that has been modelled after ancient river faring vessels used by the Chinese for centuries.
The Deities’ Parade is another must-see event in Hong Kong’s Dragon Boat Festival as the event is a religious homage organized to pay tribute to the three deities associated with sea farers. Taking centre stage in Lantau, the Deities’ Parade begins with a stopover at the San Tsuen Tin Hau, Hung Shing, and Kwan Tai and Yeung Hau temples on dragon boat on the morning before the festival. The deity statues from the respected temples are then taken to the hall of worship. On the festival day the sculptures are perched on holy Sampans and dragged by dragon boats and paraded on the Tai O waters to appease the water deities.
Massive amounts of bamboo wrapped rice-and-meat dumplings are also consumed during the festival due to the food’s association with the events marked by the Dragon Boat Festival.
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