China Celebrates the Dragon Boat Festival, One of Its Most Important Cultural Holidays

On June 10, 2024, China celebrates the Dragon Boat Festival, one of the most anticipated national holidays of the year. It will be three days of celebrations, with activities and typical foods that not only preserve ancient traditions but also promote values such as teamwork, courage, and resilience.

In addition to being a National Intangible Cultural Heritage of China since 2006, the Dragon Boat Festival was the first festival of Chinese culture to be included in UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009. It has been a national holiday since 2008.

Origin and History

Originating about 2,500 years ago, there are different stories about the origin of the Dragon Boat Festival, but the most widespread is that it began as a tribute to the poet Qu Yuan, who threw himself into the river in protest against corruption.

Qu Yuan was known for his patriotism, contributions to poetry, and classic verses and is associated with the anthology Chu Ci, also known as Songs of the South or Songs of Chu. His lasting influence and legacy make him an important figure in Chinese history and culture, and his memory is honored through the celebration of the Dragon Boat Festival.

Traditions and Celebrations

The villagers used their boats to try to rescue the poet Qu Yuan and threw rice dumplings, called zongzi, into the river to prevent the fish from devouring his body. Currently, dragon boat races and the tasting of zongzi are central activities that honor his memory.

Dragon Boat Races

Dragon boat races take place in rivers and lakes. The boats are mostly long and narrow, decorated with the head and tail of a dragon. The rowing teams row in unison to the sound of a drum or gong. The competitions can be quite intense, with teams from different villages or cities competing against each other. In Chinese culture, the dragon symbolizes power, strength, good luck, and prosperity.

Traditional Food

Another tradition of the Dragon Boat Festival is the consumption of zongzi, rice dumplings stuffed with ingredients such as pork, eggs, or beans, which are boiled or steamed before being consumed.

Decorations and Amulets

In some regions, it is common to hang xiang bao on the walls during the Dragon Boat Festival. These colorful and fragrant sachets, handmade, contain herbs such as Chinese mugwort and calamus, which have insecticidal and antifungal properties. It is believed that these herbs help ward off negative energies and diseases.

??Impact on Import and Export ??

During the Dragon Boat Festival, which officially takes place on June 10th, many Chinese companies temporarily close or operate at reduced capacity from the 8th, the beginning of the celebrations, significantly impacting the pace of commercial operations and international trade.

Recommendations for Companies

We recommend that companies depending on Chinese suppliers adjust their planning during the Dragon Boat Festival, taking into account possible temporary interruptions and the reduction of labor and transportation services in China. Anticipating these delays and proactively communicating with business partners can help minimize any negative impacts on operations and deliveries.

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