Ancient Chinese tradition hits Brockport this summer

Traditionally held on the fifth day of the fifth moon on the lunar calendar (late May to mid June on the solar calendar), the Dragon Boat Festival commemorates the life and death of Qu Yuan (340-278 BC).

A political leader of Chu, Qu Yuan is recognized as China's first distinguished poet. He lost the king's favor and was banished from his homestate of Chu because of his opposition to the prevalent policy of compromise to the powerful state of Qin.

In exile, Qu Yuan wrote the poem "Encountering Sorrow," which shows a great loyalty to his state and its people In 278 BC, Qu Yuan heard that Chu had been invaded. Driven by despair, he drowned himself in the Mi Lo River.

The people of Chu rushed to the river to rescue him. Too late to save Qu Yuan, they splashed furiously and threw zung-ze (traditional rice dumplings wrapped in tea leaves) into the river as a sacrifice to his spirit, and to keep the fish away from his body.

To honor the memory of Qu Yuan, Dragon Boats have been raced annually, and zung-ze have traditionally been thrown into the rivers of China.

Today, Dragon Boat Festivals have become popular worldwide. Boston has held an annual race since 1979. And in Toronto, the races draw crowds of more than 125,000.

New this year to the Brockport Summer Arts Festival is the exciting watersport Dragon Boat Racing, which will be held on the Erie Canal Saturday, August 11.