Duanwujie or Dragonboat Festival 端午节
The Duanwu Festival is an important date on the Chinese lunar calendar.
It is celebrated every year on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month.
One of the strongest bonds that reinforces our cultural identity.
The Duanwujie or Dragonboat Festival 端午节
Traditional Festivals are one of the strongest bonds that reinforces the cultural identity of the chinese and are important events for the Chinese Community. To celebrate these festivities, CAV organizes several family events for members and the wider community.
This festival commemorates the death of the poet Qu Yuan (屈原), who lived around 300 BC. He was a scholar and a minister in the court of the King of Chu (楚) during the Warring States period (403-221 BC) in the Zhou Dynasty. He was a patriotic statesman and was admired by the people. Because of imminent threat from the State of Qin (秦), Qu Yuan proposed reforms and an alliance with the State of Qi (齐) to ensure the safety of the state.
Having accepted bribes from the envoy of Qin, the corrupt King Huai of Chu, not only rejected Qu Yuan’s advice, but accused him of treason and so Qu Yuan was banished. Qu Yuan’s love for his homeland and the people was expressed in his poems during his exile.
CAV Celebrations
The racing of boats to retrieve Qu Yuan’s body has become the modern day Dragon boat race (赛龙舟). This is why in some parts of the world, the Duanwu Festival is also known as “Dragon Boat” Festival.
To celebrate the Festival, CAV organises a Zhongzi making workshop, teaching young children the art of wrapping the rice dumplings using bamboo leaves.
