Next saturday is Dragon Boat Festival in China. It is also called the Duanwu Festival, is celebrated on the fifth of May according to the Chinese calendar. Chinese will eating traditional food zong zi and racing dragon boats.
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| Zong zi |
Zong
zi is a glutinous rice ball, with a
filling, wrapped in reed leaves. The fillings can be beans, dates,
fruits, sweet potato, walnuts, and meat or a combination of them.
They are generally steamed.
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| Qu Yuan |
The
big thing for the festival is dragon-boat races because in the
southern provinces where have many rivers and lakes. This races was
to remembered the death of Qu Yuan. Qu was a minister of the State of
Chu during the Warring States Period (475-221BC). He was upright and
loyal. He brought peace and prosperity to the state. However,when a
corrupt prince vilified Qu, he was disgraced and dismissed from
office. He was realizing that the country was now in the hands of
evil. He felt very sad and grabbed a large stone and leapt into the
Miluo River on the fifth of May. People tried to save him, but was
too late, so they using reed leaves wrapped the rice throw into the
river and race the dragon boat because people did not want to the
fish eat his body. For thousands of years, people still use this way
to remember him.
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| Dragon Boat Race |
The
dragon boats are made by wood. The
dragon head is attached at the bow,and a dragon tail at the stern.
Usually, there are twenty plays rowing the boat. One drummer sit down
in the front of the boat. When other plays rowing the boat, the
drummer will play the drum to creates an atmosphere of gaiety and
excitement for the participants. The winners are awarded medals.
I enjoyed learning about this amazing Chinese tradition. Zong Zi looks and sounds delicious and the boat races look like a lot of competative fun. It is amazing how the life of Qu Yuan is celebrated in a happy and peaceful way. The pictures that you added to your blog really add emphasis to your post. Instead of just telling us about the Dragon Boat Festival, you described it and showed us; which made it that much more intriguing.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Xinxin! I also agree with Jada, the zong zi, looks amazing. Is it similar to spring roll? Because I could very easily see myself making some stuffed with chicken, onions and pineapple....and then I'd be half-tempted to fry it. I just can't help myself.
ReplyDeleteXinxin--Interesting new entries. Pretty good development. Keep digging into analysis to create significance. Good visual appeal. Pretty good set up and sign off.
ReplyDelete