Dragon Boats
A Brief History
The roots of dragon boat racing date back to the 4th Century B.C. in China.
According to legend Qu Yuan, a revered poet and statesman, hurled himself into
the Mi Lo River to protest the corrupt regime of the reigning Chou Dynasty
emperor. When local boatmen saw Qu Yuan disappear beneath the water, they raced
out to save him. Sadly, they were too late. Fearing
that his body would be preyed upon by fish and evil spirits and of the river,
the boatmen beat their paddles furiously upon the water. It is said that they
also threw rice dumplings into the river as a sacrifice to his heroic spirit.
Qu Yuan’s death is commemorated each year on the fifth day of the fifth lunar
month (Chinese Calendar) at Dragon Boat Festivals around the world. Before the
festival, ancient blessing rituals such as “Awakening the Dragons” (rousing the
dragon boats to life by a special eye-dotting ceremony) are performed.
Head
and Tail Carving Workshop
with Eric Neighbour
(at the Roundhouse, Vancouver) February 2005
This carving project was offered at the round house in Vancovuer.
It was a LOT more work than WOW anticipated, but the team got it done in time for display at the Alcan Festival.
The original crew, Joanne, Sue E., Barbara, and Kathy were helped out by Bhree, Verla, Terry, and a few
others who weren't even on the team.
They sweated over it for a good five
months, and eventually became the only group from the workshop who actually finished their
carving.
Something to be proud of!