Dragon Boat Festival
Last Thursday (May 28), I was lucky enough to be in Taiwan during one of their major holidays. The Dragon Boat Festival, better known in these parts as Duanwu Jie, incorporates three main activities: eating zong zi, drinking rice wine, and racing dragon boats. As far as the history, I'm not entirely sure. I asked a few people about the festival, and everyone's response was the same: you have to eat zong zi and watch dragon boat races. Where is the history? I'm inclined to believe that the holiday has probably become more of our Easter/Thanksgiving holidays in the United States. Some people do not even think of the significance of the holidays, other than dying Easter eggs and eating Turkey. Dragon boat racing is a popular event, and requires training far in advance. Here are a few snap shots of dragon boat racing!
Close-up of one of the stragglers.
The rowers and their equipment.
The terrifying, dangerous dragon boats!
The boats with us
The race has begin, and Boat 1 seems to be ahead. Notice the flag-grabbers at the front of the boat, and the awesome drum that keeps the rowers together.
Close-up of one of the stragglers.
The rowers and their equipment.
The terrifying, dangerous dragon boats!
The boats with us
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