27-29 June 2008

Dragon Boat Festival of Miao along Qingshui river

Dragon Boat Festival of Miao is held in fifth month of lunar calendar. The Miao people celebrate for the dragon in the Qingshuijiang River. Because they believe it can take enough rain for planting rice. There few village celebrate this festival by turns. The best day for this festival is in 25th of fifth month in lunar calendar in shidong village.

The dragon boat, dragon canoe exactly, was made of a big fir tree. There are two smaller canoe as wings to stable the boat. Most boat are about 20m long. In festival the wood sculpture dragon head and tail will be fix on boat. Differently the rower are standing on the boat when they are rowing.
In this festival, there are many dragon boats are rowed for competition. Except competition, his most important thing is visiting relatives in the other village. Every village will offer the warm welcome to the boat, the gift such as goose, duck, pigs even buffalo are taken as gift.

Of course the fest, Dance and singing are essential part of festival. On the beach of rive and near the village, we have chance to appreciate the most brilliant costume and most authentic folk song of Miao people.