Chinese Dragon Boat Festival

Confucius Institute for Global China Studies hosts a Dragon Boat Festival.

The Dragon Boat Festival or Duanwu Festival is celebrated on the fifth day of the Chinese Lunar calendar’s fifth month. This festival commemorates the death of Qu Yuan – an honorable poet and statesman who is said to have committed suicide by drowning himself in a river.

The festival’s main activity is the Dragon Boat race, which symbolizes attempts to rescue Qu Yuan. Today, these races also demonstrate the virtues of cooperation and teamwork. In addition to racing boats, people also prepare zong zi. Zong zi is made of glutinous rice stuffed with different fillings and wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves. People mourn the death of Qu by throwing zong zi into the river
to feed the fish.

As time has passed, the festival’s emphasis on memorial has shifted to emphasize protection from evil and disease for the rest of year. People hang healthy herbs on the front door to clear the bad luck of the house.

In this workshop, participants learn about the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival and participate in cultural activities, such as making Dragon Boat handcraft decorations. Join in and glimpse a piece of Chinese cultural heritage!  This would be a great Mother’s Day activity!  Families and individuals welcome.

Presented by Qian Liu, Volunteer Instructor of Confucius Institute at the University of Oregon