Liyue Dragon Boat Race
Liyue Dragon Boat Race
Nominating Unit: Jianghai District, City of Jiangmen
Liyue Dragon Boat Race, also called “Chu Dabiao” or “Chuke”, is a popular and widely held folk activity, which enjoys a history of more than 300 years. Every year before Dragon Boat Festival (late April of the lunar calendar), villagers dig the dragon boats out of Shuangzhouwu (dragon boats’ dock), wash the mud off, fasten the crossbeam of the boat. After that, the boats will be taken to Zhangwei River every afternoon for informal races between two or three. A large number of people stand at both banks of the river and cheer for the racers. The voices of people and the sounds of firecrackers make a hilarious atmosphere. On the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, the boats wait in different parts of the river before sailing to the part in front of the temple for blessing. Meanwhile, the villagers play the gong in front of the temple, burning firecrackers, handing tea (or beverage) to the racers, praying for good climate as well as peace and prosperity.
There are eight dragon boats (formerly nine) existing for Liyue Dragon Boat Race, which still retains the old competitive model: A dragon boat must row on the track in the length of 5-8 km 14 times back and forth, which will cost more than three hours; there are 71 people in one boat, with 568 people in 8 boats; during the race, the racers get up and row. Liyue Dragon Boat Race requires a combination of command, skills and strength. It will take a long time to learn the skills. The teaching of Gushou (people in charge of the drum) and Duoshou (helmsman) will cost three to five years.
Liyue Dragon Boat Race has strengthened the international exchanges since reform and opening up. Winning a lot of prizes in different dragon boat races, it invites Hong Kong and Macao compatriots born in Liyue for watching the dragon boat races. Today, there are more than ten thousand people taking part in the race. The subdistrict administrative office established a committee for the race, while villagers founded the Dragon Boat Association. On the race day, all the villagers come and crowd the two sides of the river. The Liyue Dragon Boat Race has become an active recreation and sport for the villagers, as well as a tie connecting Liyue to the outside world.(https://www.daowen.com)
However, in recent years, with the adjustment of the layout of farmland and the development of transportation, the waterway for dragon boat races has been gradually reduced. Besides, it’s gradually facing the lack of successors of the skills for steering and the techniques for boat making. Therefore, it is urgent to take effective measures to protect and support it.
