The Tradition of Duan Wu in Modern Times

The Duan Wu Jie, or Dragon Boat Festival, in English, is fast approaching. The festival is on the 5th day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar. This year's Duan Wu takes place on Sunday. It's also the first Duan Wu since it was made a statutory holiday. The customs of Duan Wu are gradually changing as society modernizes. However, the process of updating traditions should be handled with care.

Our reporter Li Dong has the details.

In a renowned dim sum store in Beijing, people are buying Zongzi, or steamed rice dumplings, a traditional food associated with Duan Wu.

In the past, making and eating Zongzi was a typical tradition of this festival. Now food processing companies are making vacuum-packed Zongzi.

"In the past, all families made Zongzi together on Duan Wu. But now, we just buy them from the store."

Dragon boat racing is another traditional Duan Wu activity. But besides these two customs, most people don't know that there are still other folk traditions associated with Duan Wu.

Chen Lianshan is a professor studying folk arts and literature in Peking University.

"Hanging artemisia and calamus plants in the house is a Duan Wu tradition. Because the two herbs give off strong scents, their aroma can repel pests like mosquitoes and centipedes, etc. Drinking Realgar Alcohol and going hiking are also important activities during Duan Wu. In ancient times, children wore small herbal bags on their waist."

Chen Lianshan explains the origin of these customs.

"Most of the celebrations on Duan Wu are mainly about dispelling evil. Because the weather becomes hot around the time, it's the time when diseases are likely to strike. Also, it's the time when many poisonous creatures like centipedes, scorpions, and snakes start to become active. So, people hang herbs with strong scents and drink realgar alcohol to protect their health."

Nowadays, in big cities, these traditions are not as popular as in rural areas or as they were in the past.

"I think it's because the pace of our lives is getting faster. People don't have enough time to experience folk customs."
But, Chen Lianshan believes, the loss of cultural traditions has a historical basis.

"Since the start of the 'New Culture Movement' in the beginning of 20th century, Chinese people have attached more importance to learning from the West, western science and culture. However, people may have the mistaken impression that we must abandon tradition when learning new things. That's the historical reason why we are losing our culture."

The first public holiday on Duan Wu is right around the corner. It indicates people are attaching more importance to traditional culture. While poeple are taking the time for family reunion and fun, many cities across China also hold various activities to revive folk customs.

For China Drive, I am Li Dong.