Rowing may not be a popular sport in Taiwan, but in June -- the time of the Dragon Boat Festival -- it becomes a local favorite. To celebrate the ancient Chinese festival, starting from today, at least six cities in Taiwan are holding dragon boat racing competitions as well as a series of folk ceremonies.
A special feature of this year's competition in Tainan is the return of President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) to his home town, where he will watch the races on An-ping Canal on June 6th.
As one of Taiwan's oldest ports and cities, Lukang (鹿港), in Changhua County, will hold a three-day folk festival in front of the Lungshan Temple (龍山寺). And a dragon boat competition with more than 10 teams will be held at Chih-an canal of the Changpin Industrial Plant. According to the Changhuan Cultural Foundation (彰津文教基金會), there will be traditional block print exhibitions, Chinese calligraphy and Taoist religious dances at the 100 year old Lungshan Temple, making the temple plaza a market and reviving the old memories of Lukang.
The dragon boat festival is to commemorate the ancient Chinese poet Chu Yuan (屈原), who lived 1000 years ago. Legend has it that Chu threw himself into a river because he failed to attain his lofty vision of patriotism. Witnesses immediately rowed about in dragon boats to look for his body, but failed. So triangle shaped rice cakes wrapped with bamboo leaves were made and tossed in the river to feed the fish, in hopes that Chu's body would not be desecrated by them.
Centuries later, the practice has evolved into tradition, with annual races held on May 5th of the Lunar calendar. Dragon Boat is also considered one of the three big festivals of the year and has come to signify the beginning of summer, as Chinese New Year represents the coming of spring and the Moon Festival signifies the autumn season.
One of the other traditions that has remained intact is the smell of bamboo leaves in the air. Bamboo wrapped dumplings can be seen all over the island as the festivities approach.
This year, Taipei City probably has the most to offer in terms of traditional rituals for the dragon boat festival. On May 21st, Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) conducted a dragon eye marking ceremony, using a brush pen to mark the eyes of the boats. He also went on a boat to play a traditional drum as part of the River Worship ceremony (祭江). "The dragon must worship the sacred lily first and then it will be able to open its eyes and enter the water," said Ma. Meanwhile, students chanted ancient poems of Chu Yuan as part of the river worship ceremony. "I hope the dragon boat rowing can one day become one of the official competition categories for the Olympic games," Ma said.
For your information:
The Dragon Boat competitions have both local and foreign teams participating. Following is a list of venues and contact numbers for further details:
Taipei: June 9th to 11th at the Keelung River's Tachia section (大佳段). 14 teams (local and international). Contact: Taipei City Bureau of Education; tel 2720-8898.
Kaohsiung: Today through Tuesday at Love River (愛河). 66 teams. Contact: Kaohsiung City Bureau of Education; tel 07-331-5736.
Lukang: Today through Tuesday at Chi-an Canal (吉安水道), Changpin Industrial Plant (彰濱工業區) 10 teams. Contact: 04-778-8400.
Changhua County Sports Association Iilan: Monday and Tuesday at Tungshan River (冬山河). 28 teams. Contact: Iilan County Bureau of Education; tel 039-354-700.
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