June 16 is Duanwu or Dragon Boat Festival celebrated in China and parts of east and southeast Asia where there is large Chinese diaspora. As the ancient story goes, poet and statesman Qu Yuan was exiled on a trumped up charge of conspiracy in the Warring States period of China’s history. Frustrated by this mistreatment, he jumped into the Milo River and drowned. The surrounding people of the area attempted to rescue him by launching the now famous dragon boats. However, Qu Yuan’s body was never recovered, but his many followers and admirers began a tradition of tossing zongzi — sweet sticky rice wrapped in bamboo leaves — into the river to deter the fish from eating his remains.
This week alongside learning about this holiday from my Chinese friend, I received also a lovely package of freshly made zongzi. My friend who is from Harbin said that in her region of China, the tradition was to filled with the sticky rice with currants and other dried fruits. We enjoyed our late evening snack of the dumplings very much.
I haven’t yet seen a dragon boat race although I have friends who participate in them. Do you do anything to commemorate the holiday in your region? Do share your stories with us!