Culturally Inspired, Appreciative & Respectful

I grew up in the heart of Boston. The surrounding diverse cultures and languages fascinated me. The neighborhood sounds, smells, sights, tastes, textiles, art, music, and festivals heightened my senses. I respected the cultures that surrounded my neighborhood…from Chinatown to the Italian-American North End to South Boston to East Boston’s Italian-Americans and immigrants from Central America, South America, and Southeast Asia. My experiences living in a multicultural city taught me respect and appreciation of diversity…the similarities and the differences. It inspired me. Where some consider Boston a “segregated” city, I have always seen the possibilities and embraced the experiences and opportunities. I was thoroughly engaged and connected to the cultures, traditions, languages and customs of my community.

Inspiration for Post

My inspiration for this post happened while in Gainesville, Georgia with my husband who was attending a continuing education course. After dropping him off at his seminar, I looked for ways to entertain myself. Although I had already made plans for my husband and I to meet up with one of his former athletes and her family for a surprise birthday lunch celebration, I still had 5-7 hours of time to spare. While awaiting the lunch, I perused the local activity guide; I discovered that Atlanta was hosting its 24th annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival.

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I was not familiar with the Atlanta’s Dragonboat Festival. I had not seen any media coverage of the event. I was surprised to learn that 2019 was its 24th anniversary. I was one of the few to know about the Festival. The press recognized the event as one of the hallmark diversity events in the metro Atlanta area. People from all over the world attend.

The Teams

There were more than 80 Dragon Boat teams racing in this year’s Dragonboat Festival. Among the participating corporate national companies’ teams were Coca Cola, InterContinental Hotels and Resorts, Home Depot, UPS, and Harrah’s Cherokee Casinos. Other participants included high school college teams and teams from various states, countries and groups. It is estimated that more 8,000 spectators and volunteers attended the Festival.

The Festival was held at the beautiful Lake Lanier Olympic Park Kayaking Center, home of the 1996 Olympic rowing and paddling events.

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I researched the event and its history and learned about its origin and history/ I found the schedule and a video promo from 2013.

Excited about what I learned, I headed to the Festival. I was not disappointed with the experience.

Murphy’s Law Tries to Get the Best of Me

Everything didn’t go as planned. I arrived at the venue and prepared to take pictures. I learned that I lacked storage space on both devices resulting in me having to delete files. Not sure if my pictures and files were backed up, I was hesitant to do delete files. I decided to not let this obstacle ruin my experiences.

Taking Advantage of Plan B

I decided to see what and who would post pictures post-event. My decision paid off. After finding Terry Baker’s photos on line I contacted Gene Hanratty, Founder & Chairman of the Atlanta Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival, and requested permission to utilize Terry Baker’s photos for this blog. You will definitely be able to determine which pictures in the post were taken by Bill Roa or Terry Baker. Their pictures enhance this post.

Selecting a Book

My next step was to see if there were any books about the celebration available for purchase or loan. I was not disappointed, I found several. I found several on my library system’s site. I chose three to reserve. Excited about the find, I decided that I would attend the festival, take a few photos and follow up with this blog. Once the books arrived at my library branch, I selected the one that I felt best connected to the event. Below you will find the book, some background info that will help you better understand the ancient tradition, my experience which I believe to be the best example of a reader’s engagement and connection to go beyond reading and a few ideas for engaging and connecting if going to a festival is not possible.

The Selected Book

Awaking the Dragon: The Dragon Boat Festival is written by Arlene Chan, a respected librarian and an experienced dragon boat racer and illustrated by Song Nan Zhang. For someone new to this celebratory festival the author did an outstanding job sharing the story of the cultural and historical origins of the dragon boat festival celebrated in China and by the Chinese around the world. Her story were accentuated by the the beautiful and detailed illustrations by Zhang. Through their collaboration the reader is able to experience the beauty and energy of this ancient, yet contemporary festival and celebrations.

Qu Yuan: The Legend and the Legacy

The Book and the Origin

Dragon Boat racing dates back over 2,000 years ago. In Awaking the Dragon: The Dragon Boat Festival the author shares the origin.

The legend avers that Qu Yuan, a well-loved statesman and poet, who lived in the Kingdom of Chu during the 4th century B.C., also known as the Warring States period. It says that Yuan, one of the king of Chu’s most trusted and respected advisers , was highly respected and regarded by the people of the kingdom. Unfortunately, the popular figure and favorite of the people found himself banished from the court at the advice of jealous and corrupt officials whose motive was to discredit him. Yuan had advised the king to not sign a suspicious peace agreement proposed by the enemy kingdom, the corrupt advisers accused him of disloyalty and treason. The king of Chu did not listen to Qu Yuan’s advice, believed the corrupt advisors, signed the agreement and banish Yuan.

Qu Yuan’s Fate

For the next twenty years, Qu Yuan was unhappy, lonely and in deep despair, He aimlessly roamed the countryside writing poetry to express his continued love for his king and of the country and its people. Yuan’s dishonorable exile was terrible in itself. Yuan’s despair increased upon learning that his kingdom was conquered by the enemy kingdom, who had prepared the peace agreement. Yuan lost all hope and in despair clutched a rock to his chest and threw himself into the Mi Luo River and drowned.

Yuan, Hope and Despair

Upon the villagers and local fishermen learning about Yuan’s act, they raced out in their boats. They arrived too late to save him. According to folklore, fish could be lured away from the body by beating the water with their paddles and loudly banging on their drums. This was to keep the River Dragon from devouring him. They scattered rice and tossed rice dumplings into the river to keep his spirits from hunger.

Qu Yuan in Video

At the end of the post I have also posted ideas for those whose learning styles are more tactual and/or kinesthetic, as well as those who like olfactory and gustatory learning activities. Me? I try to go beyond the reading to create experiences that are as multisensory in nature as possible.

The memory of Qu Yuan’s desperate, heroic feat has never been forgotten by the Chinese people. In his honor, the dragon boat race became a tradition that continues to this day. The race is essentially a re-enactment of the failed attempt to save Qu Yuan. Thee ceremony and many other customs are believed to bring good fortune and protecting against misfortune. Many of these customs continue today. Some of the customs are included in “Awaking the Dragon: The Dragon Boat Festival.”

I learned a lot about the event. I found the visual below which summarizes the history and even includes a traditional Dragon Boat Festival recipe for Zongzi (rice dumpling). The actual and probably better copy of the image is available at the site cited below the image.

Dragons & The Dragon Boats

These featured pictures were taken by Terry Baker and a few by Bill Roa. The actual dragon boat is a work of art, second to none. Song Nan Zhang’s Awaking the Dragon: The Dragon Boat Festival illustration compliments these photos.

“The slim, 39-foot teakwood racer (and fiberglass models) is crafted today in only a handful of boat-yards in Hong Kong. Distinguished by a fierce-looking dragon’s head at the prow and a tail at the stern, traditional dragon boats require thirty days, three craftsmen, and years of practice to produce.”

Lake Lanier Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.lakelanierolympicvenue.org/event/atlanta-dragon-boat-festival-2/.

“The most popular dragon boat set-up consists of 10 rows of seats for 20 paddlers sitting side-by-side. The distance for Dragon Boat races is typically 500 meters. Occasionally there are races of 250 meters, 10000 meters, and 2000 meters. Sometimes there are marathon races.”

Fun Facts on Dragon Boat Racing. (2019). Georgia Asian Times: 24th Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival Atlanta, 21–21.

The races at the Atlanta Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival were 200 meter sprints.

The Dragon Boat Festival is rooted in deep cultural ties full of cultural beliefs and additional traditions and customs, some of which you will see in the pictures within this post and my actual commentary which are evidenced by the ceremony and ritual surrounding the races.

Through my reading and experience, I became more aware of the connection between dragons and the Chinese. The ancient history connections include the Chinese perception of the dragon as a strong and powerful protector. Sometimes the dragon was seen as a threat as it relates to their power. Its power could bring needed rain. A dragon’s power could also cause droughts. storms and floods.

“Dragons are “considered a symbol for the spring rains and growth. Dragons are also viewed as protective and benevolent, which is why dragon boat racing is often thought of as a means of spreading good luck. In return for staging the dragon boat races, it is believed that the community will be blessed with happiness and prosperity,”

Briggs, B. (2019, March 18). Dragon Boat Festival. Retrieved from https://eden-project.com/dragon-boat-festival/.

I learned from reading, observations, and conversations that to honor this powerful creature, the dragon, people created long narrow boats that they raced in an annual rainmaking festival. dragon boats represent the effort of villagers to protect the spirit of one of the emperor’s most prominent advisors who drowned himself in the river. Many other legends accompany this festival, including the story of a nightmare from an emperor in the 700’s who dreamed of a ghost. This book provides a nice overview of the legends and customs from the past and the celebrations today of this exciting festival time.

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Festival Schedule

My husband’s classes started at 8:00 and Dragon Boat activities were scheduled to commence with races beginning at 9 am with the Opening Ceremonies to begin at noon. Since I had already made plans for the birthday luncheon, I knew I would have to miss some or all of the opening ceremony. Although excited about seeing our friend’s daughter, having to miss the opening ceremony was a disappointing realization. Thanks to the Much appreciation to Gene Hanratty, Atlanta Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival‘s Founder & Chairman and photographer, Terry Baker for allowing me to use Terry’s photos in this post in order that you can better engage in and connect to the experience. Also included are some by Bill Roa.

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Atlanta’s Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival

At 7:00 am the Festival commenced, beginning with the blessing of the Dragon Boats by Buddhist Monks. Terry’s pictures below engages you from the processional to the actual blessing.

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Continuing the Tradition of Drums

These pictures feature the drums and drummers. The importance of this drums in the races honors the tradition and the legend of luring the fish from Yuan’s drowned body.

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After the marshaling of Heat #1 and the national anthem was placed…

… the races began.

I missed the Opening Ceremony, but arrived in time to see the performers as they arrived and prepared for their performances. Among the diverse expo of talent and showcases there were instrumental and vocal music, dances, costumes, traditional heritage and ethnic garments, demonstrations.

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Vendors and Sponsors Opportunities

Along with the races and the Opening Ceremony, the Festival featured vendors and other activities. The food was delicious as were the demonstrations and craft opportunities. Fellowship was great and all had opportunities to become engaged and connected to the Festival’s experience. The list of sponsors increase each year in number and diversity. Many were directly involved in the Festival experience. Some entered the races; others had info tents; some provided entertainment. Others participated in banner and/or t-shirt contests; and/or sponsored cultural activities.

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Results and Awards Ceremony

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Below are some of the pictures from the awards ceremony. A complete list of the results can be found at https://www.dragonboatatlanta.com/assets/uploads/2019/09/2019-race-results.pdf. I find it fascinating just looking at the list of diverse participants. I recommend you check it out. Impressive!!!!

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Results are listed by divisions. The divisions include first responders, breast cancer, collegiate, high school, international, SE Asia, law, manufacturing and financial.

Engagement & Connection Ideas

• Make and wear some of the good fortune “protectors”:
  • Xianghbao (fragrant pouches made of colorful cotton or silk and filled with dried flowers and herbs) believed to protect wearers from illness

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• • Hang branches of fragrant herbs, such as calamus or mugwort over the door. They are believed to protect against evil spirits.
  • “Threads of long life” – Five-color string bracelets or Five-color hair ribbons. The five colors, green, red, white, black and yellow, are the lucky colors in ancient China and are said to represent the five elements or natural forces. Some believe that if the colored string bracelet will bring good luck if thrown into the water the first rain after the Dragon Boat Festival washing away illness and disease.
    • Red for fire
    • Blue for wood
    • Yellow for earth
    • White for metal
    • Black for water

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• Make Zongzi (rice dumplings)

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• Construct a model of a dragon boat using paper, clay, play dough, wood, etc.. Check out Pinterest for some ideas.

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• Host a model dragon boat race.
• Make something (cake , quilt, clothing, bag, picture, etc.) and decorate with one or more of the five “poisons”
  • centipede
  • lizard
  • scorpion
  • snake
  • toad
• Other craft ideas are at https://www.creativechinese.com/category/dragon-boat-festival/
• Check out an Asian supermarket, market place or restaurant. Order some of typical dragon race festival food. Check out https://www.travelchinaguide.com/essential/holidays/dragon-boat/food.htm for ideas of what to order.
• Read some of Qu Yuan’s poetry. Some are at https://www.shigeku.org/xlib/lingshidao/hanshi/quyuan.htm
• Compare and contrast cultural differences (inco de Mayo with the fifth day of the fifth lunar month.
• Check out https://www.pinterest.com/literarilymyway/boards/ for the Dragon Boat Festival board. Please note it is an “in progress” project.
• Plan, organize and host a Dragon Boat Festival, expo or
• Invite members of the dragon boat races or Dragonboat Atlanta staff members to speak.
• Arrange to interview members of the dragon boat races or the Dragonboat Atlanta staff (see the results pdf for lists of racers and sponsors.
• Volunteer to work at a local Festival.