Dragon Boat Festival in Hong Kong

Date: The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Tuen Ng Festival, is traditionally celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar, typically falling in June.

History: The festival commemorates the death of Qu Yuan, a patriotic Chinese poet from the Warring States period who drowned himself in protest against a corrupt government. To prevent fish from eating his body, locals paddled out on boats and threw rice dumplings into the water as a distraction.

Traditions:

• Dragon Boat Racing: The centerpiece of the festival is dragon boat racing; long, narrow boats adorned with dragon heads and tails race to the beat of drums. Teams from local communities and international crews compete vigorously.
• Eating Zongzi: People consume zongzi, which are sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves. They come with various fillings such as meat, peanuts, or egg yolks.
• Hanging Calamus and Mugwort: To ward off evil spirits and diseases, people hang aromatic plants such as calamus and mugwort around their homes.
• Drinking Realgar Wine: Although less common now due to health concerns over realgar (arsenic sulfide), drinking this traditional Chinese wine was once part of the festivities.

Activities on the Day: On this public holiday in Hong Kong, families and friends gather to watch dragon boat races along beaches or riversides. Participants often prepare for months in advance. It's a day filled with excitement, cheering crowds, traditional food, and cultural performances that highlight Hong Kong's connection to its historical roots while embracing modern diversity within its community.