As the Dragon Boat Festival approaches, craftsmen at Huo Wobiao Dragon Boat Factory in Zhongtang Town, Dongguan, Guangdong, are giving the dragon boats a final polish. Huo Wobiao is a representative inheritor of dragon boat crafting skills. Walking amidst scattered wood shavings and scraps of red firecracker paper, he hurries to complete the task at hand.
The period before and after the Dragon Boat Festival is the busiest time for dragon boat factories. Zhongtang Town in Dongguan is known as the "Homeland of Chinese Dragon Boats". The dragon boat crafting skills here have a history of over 300 years and were listed in the second batch of National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2008. Zhongtang Town has earned the reputation of "the best dragon boats are crafted in Zhongtang."
"People often ask me what makes a good dragon boat," said Huo Wobiao, pointing to a cylindrical "bottom" of the boat. "The bottom is the most important part. The first step in making a dragon boat is to make the bottom. The parabolic shape and structure determine the draft." He continued, adding that the keel needs to be made of vertically grown fir trees, which are rigid and sturdy, allowing the boat to move forward like an arrow, fast and stable.
In the year of the dragon, people flock to witness dragon boat races. In recent days, the scene of dragon boat races has been vibrant and lively on rivers of all sizes across the Pearl River Delta. The beating of drums resonates, and shouts fill the air. The dragon is a totem of the Chinese nation, woven into the fabric of traditional folk customs throughout China. Dragon boat racing, with a history spanning over a thousand years, is one such manifestation. People translate their reverence and awe for the dragon into the tangible form of dragon boats, paddling fervently to pray for favorable weather, national prosperity, and people's safety.
While the forms and customs of dragon boats may vary slightly across different regions, each possesses its own unique characteristics. However, whether one is involved in the crafting or paddling of dragon boats, the spirit of unity and bravery, highlighted through this vessel, remains consistent.
Source | Yangcheng Evening News
