When the 5th month of the Lunar calendar arrives, the Chinese celebrate a rather unique festival. This isn't about religious pursuits but commemorating a poet who lived over 2,500 years ago, and eating Zongzi. The Dragon Boat Festival is no longer just a Chinese event; it's celebrated all over Southeast Asia, in Taiwan, and even in the US with the Boston Dragon Boat Festival or Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival being one of the top festivals.
What's the hype about this and why do they eat those cute little triangular-shaped stuffed rice cakes? Let's find out!
What is the Dragon Boat Festival?
Dragon Boat Festival or Duwanwu Festival (端午节) is a Summer festival and holiday celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month every year. It’s linked to the passing of China’s first poet, Qu Yuan, and is even recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage item.
This important holiday, much like the Mid-Autumn Festival, marks the end of spring. The dates of this festival change every year. During the celebration, people race dragon boats on the Yangtze River, make Zongzi, and decorate their homes with mugwort leaves.
The Chinese also believe that the peak of summer brings disease and misfortune to homes. This is why they drink realgar wine, carry mugwort and herbal-infused perfume pouches and hang wormwood and calamus at the entrance of their homes to ward off illnesses and evil spirits during the Dragon Boat Festival.
The History of the Dragon Boat Festival
The history of the Dragon Boat Festival is so touching it could be a Cdrama of its own. It's believed that back during the Warring States period of the Zhou Dynasty (c. 475-221), Qu Yuan (c. 340-278 BC) was a patriotic poet from the ancient state of Chu. He served in the king’s court and was deemed a favourite. But one thing led to another and he was exiled due to his outspoken views on diplomatic affairs.
For 28 years, Qu Yuan wrote extensively, expressing his love for his country and it's future. In despair over his country's conquest by a foreign army, Qu Yuan drowned himself in the Miluo River on the 5th day of the 5th month of the Lunar calendar.
Local people rushed out in boats to try to save him or retrieve his body, inspiring the tradition of dragon boat races. When they couldn't find him, they threw sticky rice balls into the river, hoping the fish would eat the rice instead of his body, leading to the origin of eating Zongzi during the Dragon Boat Festival.
His poems remain appreciated and recited today.
Miluo River Dragon Boat Festival today
The original Miluo River where Qu Yuan jumped 2,000 years ago still hosts the iconic Dragon Boat Race during the festival.
Today, the Miluo River Dragon Boat Festival hosts one of the best races in the world. Long dragon boats race each other to the finish line, motivated by the sounds of beating drums on each boat. This tradition re-lives the 2,000-year-old past when locals raced to the same river in hopes of saving Qu Yuan’s body.
What is Eaten during the Dragon Boat Festival?
Zongzi is traditionally eaten during the Dragon Boat Festival, but it's not exclusive to this celebration. Zongzi has been enjoyed in China for over 3,000 years. Back then, travelling between states was a difficult task that took months and involved crossing barren lands. Travellers needed food that was less messy, easy to carry, and preservable, and Zongzi was one of their choices.
When Qu Yuan jumped into the river, locals threw rice dumplings into the water, hoping the fish would eat the rice instead of his body. It's unclear whether they threw Zongzi specifically or just plain rice dumplings. However, since then, making Zongzi has become a tradition whenever the 5th day of the 5th month approaches, and the Dragon Boat Festival takes place.
What is Zongzi?
Zongzi is a boiled sticky rice dumpling made with various fillings, wrapped in bamboo leaves. You can even call it a meal in a pouch. It used to be a staple in ancient China until the Jin Dynasty in 266 AD. It's a versatile food that comes in both sweet and savoury flavours.
Why do people eat Zongzi during the Dragon Boat Festival?
While the most common explanation for eating Zongzi during the Dragon Boat Festival is directly linked to the poet Qu Yuan and the attempt to save his corpse, a widely believed reason is that eating Zongzi brings good luck and wards off evil spirits, making it an essential part of the celebrations.
Interestingly, there's another legend about the tradition of eating Zongzi. In Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, people eat Zongzi and watch dragon boat races to honour the legendary military general Wu Zixu. Wu Zixu served during the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC) and played a crucial role in the State of Wu's prosperity before being executed by King Fuchai. His bravery and loyalty earned him great respect, and he has been honoured by generations since.
The ingredients for Zongzi vary by region, leading to a range of shapes and flavours. For example, Jiaxing's savoury Zongzi is filled with soy sauce, pork, water chestnuts, and salted duck egg yolk.
I came across Zongzi on TikTok so randomly and decided to make it. In fact, it's very easy. It's just the preparation that takes time. I loved the sweet Zongzi and it's a perfect binge snack.
Authentic Zongzi Recipe China
How to make Zongzi? It's easy. You just need to first head to your nearest Asian market and get the following items depending on the type of Zongzi you're making:
Ingredients:
Bamboo leaves or Reed leaves (Bamboo is preferred. Soak them in water before using)
Glutinous rice (Sticky rice)
Ma Lian or any type of cooking string
Sweet Zongzi
Red bean paste (If you're using red beans or mung beans, soak them in water overnight and cook them for a while)
Chinese dates (De-seeded and soaked in water overnight)
Savoury Zongzi
Salted duck egg yolk or boiled quail eggs
Lotus seeds
Chicken diced and marinated in soy sauce, five-spice powder and cooking wine (Pork is traditionally included, but it's a choice. I replaced it with chicken)
Abalone or Shrimps (Marinate in a pinch of salt)
When making savoury Zongzi, be sure to soak the rice and lotus seeds in water overnight. Leave the pork to marinate overnight as well. (You can skip this step if you're using chicken.)
Method:
Assemble the ingredients in separate bowls to ensure each ingredient is evenly distributed among the Zongzi.
Turn the rectangular leaf horizontally and fold it from the centre to the closest edge, creating a cone-shaped pouch in your palm.
Add a layer of rice to the bottom, then some stuffing, and another layer of rice. For savoury Zongzi, place the ingredients between three layers of rice.
Fold the flaps of the pouch into a triangular shape.
Firmly tie it with a string, making sure the leaf seals all the inner stuffing.
Immerse the Zongzi completely in a pot of water. Cover it with a heavy plate to prevent it from floating, and boil it over medium heat for about 2.5 hours.
Your Zongzi is now ready to be served.
Sweet Zongzi can be eaten cold and is usually served with honey or sugar.
Preservation:
You can store your Zongzi in an airtight container for up to 3 days. If you freeze it, you can save it for over 2 months. You can heat it up by letting it completely defrost and add to boiling water to simmer for about 10 minutes.
How to Wish for the Dragon Boat Festival?
If you have Chinese friends celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival this year, here's how you can wish them: say Duānwǔ jié kuàilè! ( 端午节快乐) which means 'Happy Duanwu Festival!' Or the proper traditional way by saying, Duānwǔ jié ānkāng! (端午节安康!) which means 'Wish you a peaceful and healthy Duanwu Festival!'
Are you celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival this year? Let us know your experience in the comments below!