Ethnic ways for celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival

Miao people make zongzi for the Dragon Boat Festival. [Photo/Xinhua]

Mulam Ethnic Group

The Mulam ethnic group has a population of 207,352, of which the ethnic live in Luocheng county in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region with others scattered in neighboring counties.

On the fifth day of the fifth lunar month the Dragon Boat Festival was celebrated. Unlike the Han and Zhuang Dragon Boat festivals, the Mulams used to carry a paper boat into the fields and a shaman would chant spells to drive away insects and ensure a good harvest.

Miao Ethnic Group

With a population of 8.9 million, the Miao people form one of the largest ethnic groups in southwest China.

On the 24th day of the fifth lunar month, Miao people along the Qingshui River in southeast Guizhou will celebrate their own Dragon Boat Festival for good harvest, agreeable weather, peaceful life and prosperous country. It is known as a manly sport mirroring their strength and wisdom.

Despite of its humble grassroots background, this three-day festival is fueled with dazzling festivities include bullfighting, horse racing, dragon boat racing, drum-beating as well as reed-pipe singing and dancing.

By far, it remains a highlight on Miao people’s calendar. As a half-ritual half-sport activity, Miao Dragon Boat Festival is a pastime of men, which mirror their strength, wisdom and tactics.

Special coverage:Your guide to the Dragon Boat Festival