The unique Xiamen Dragon Boat Festival Dragon Boat Race

The annual Dragon Boat Festival is coming again. As a traditional festival in China, people have been inheriting the ancient culture handed down from ancient times-rowing dragon boats. The Dragon Boat Festival in Xiamen must be a dragon boat race, and people are eager to try, which sets off the festive atmosphere. So do you want to know the origin of dragon boat racing? Just follow me to understand Xiamen culture!

According to the Records of Xiamen in the Light Years of the Qing Dynasty, "On the Dragon Boat Festival on May 5, branches of Pu, Ai and Rong were hung on the door to win the battle, and zongzi was given as a legacy. Go to Yu Haibin ... or ten days. " In addition, during the Dragon Boat Festival, there is a traditional folk competitive activity in Xiamen, "Duckdriving". The arena is located on the water. Participants have to walk through a log covered with lubricating oil, then open a wooden box containing ducks, and then jump into the water to catch the fallen ducks. The scene is hot and has a strong southern Fujian style. Dragon Boat Festival is the largest traditional folk festival in Xiamen, second only to Spring Festival. The most lively scene is the dragon boat race, commonly known as "dragon boat rowing".

The Annals of Xiamen, published in Daoguang period of Qing Dynasty, recorded: "The dragon boat race in Yu Haibin is colorful, and the black dragon can't come out. Rich people use silver money and fans to hang red flags to recruit soldiers, which is called inserting the standard, that is, the ancient brocade standard. In fact, every ferry collects money to put on a show, and the boat is the main one, otherwise it will stop in ten days. "

There has always been the custom of rowing dragon boats on both sides of Lujiang River in Xiamen. Jimei has the famous Dragon Boat Pool at home and abroad. Located on the road leading to the Olympic Garden, in front of Nanqiao Group Building, the pool is 300 meters wide and 800 meters long. There are seven pavilions beside the pool, named Qixing Pavilion. Domestic and international Chen Jiageng Cup dragon boat races are often held here. Dragon boat race, each boat has 30 to 50 rowers. There is an old rudder at the stern, with 1 flag bearer, drummer and gong. At the command, the race began, and the dragon boats were in full swing, and the waves surged down. The flag-bearer bowed at the bow, waved the flag and called the trumpeter. The gongs and drums hit a fast and powerful sound, and the paddler paddled with the drummer, leaning forward and leaning back, with neat movements. The helmsman, while steering, cheered with the flag bearer. Flying boats are like arrows, and you chase after me and sound like thunder.

In recent years, most dragon boat races have been held in Jimei Longchi, Xiamen. During the dragon boat race, there is also a cage on the mast, in which ducks and pigs are hidden. The mast is placed horizontally, extending from the shore to the sea surface, and the mast is coated with grease. Those who volunteer to catch ducks should quickly reach the surface along the mast and reach the tail of the mast to catch the cage. At this time, the ducks flew into the sea and swam to catch them. Someone slipped halfway into the mast, causing laughter from the audience on the shore. It is said that this is the way for national hero Zheng Chenggong to train sailors.

In Xiamen, there is not only the custom of making zongzi, as in most parts of the country. On the eve of the Dragon Boat Festival, calamus, wormwood, banyan branches and peach branches tied with red ropes will be hung on the doors, doors, windows and corral of the hall. Hanging mugwort, inserting cattails to hang banyan branches, taking mugwort is like a tiger, cattails are like arrows, and banyan trees are shaded to ward off evil spirits. Folium Artemisiae Argyi is a herb, which has the efficacy of expelling insects and sterilizing. Acorus calamus is also a traditional Chinese medicine, which has the functions of expelling wind, invigorating stomach, refreshing mind, inducing resuscitation and sterilizing.