The Dragon Boat Festival arrives and drums and gongs resound!
In Dajiang Village, Zhangcha, Foshan, a colorful dragon boat dating back 300 years takes to the water once again. Firecrackers crackle and the signal rings out. The dragon dances across the water and surges through the waves. It glides in a straight line, weaves in zigzags, and advances and retreats in salute. Every move reflects the ritual and grace of a centuries-old tradition.
At the bow, performers press down in time with the drumbeats, setting the boat into a rhythmic rise and fall. Colorful flags lining both sides flutter to the rhythm. The ornate dragon appears poised to take flight. Power and rhythm come together in perfect harmony! This year's Dragon Boat Festival comes with a special bamboo shoot twist!
Coinciding with the Zhangcha National Bamboo Shoot Food and Culture Carnival, Dajiang Village recreates a classic scene from 50 years ago: boats laden with bamboo shoots celebrating a bountiful harvest! This treasured scene lives on in the collective memory of Zhangcha residents. Beyond the colorful dragon boat parade, Dajiang Village also hosts traditional three-person grass boat races. The three-person grass boats weave and race through the waterways, injecting speed and excitement to the festival.
The Dajiang dragon boat tradition has been included in Foshan's municipal list of representative intangible cultural heritage items. Seeing is believing. Next Dragon Boat Festival, head to Dajiang Village in Zhangcha and experience this unique dragon boat tradition for yourself!
Reporter: Lu Haoneng
Video: Lu Haoneng, Huang Xun
Cover design: Yan Jingwei
