Date of the 2024 Dragon Boat Festival
The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as the Double Fifth Festival (Tết Äoan Ngá»), will fall on Monday, June 10th, 2024, which is the 5th day of the 5th lunar month.
Origins of the Dragon Boat Festival
China: The Legend of Qu Yuan
In the late Warring States period, Qu Yuan was a loyal minister and renowned cultural figure in the state of Chu. According to legend, he wrote the famous poem "Li Sao," which lamented the decline and downfall of his country.
After failing to persuade King Huai of Chu to change course, Qu Yuan was banished and later drowned himself in the Miluo River on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month. To honor his sacrifice, the people of China made rice dumplings wrapped in colorful silk and threw them into the river to feed the fish and prevent them from eating Qu Yuan's body.
Vietnam: The Legend of Äôi Truân
In Vietnam, the festival is known as the "Kill Insects Festival" and is associated with a different legend. During the harvest season, insects plagued the countryside, destroying crops and food. A wise old man named Äôi Truân visited a village and taught the people to make simple offerings of rice cakes and fruit outside their homes.
As the offerings were placed, the insects fell to the ground. Äôi Truân instructed them to continue this practice every year to ward off the insects. To commemorate this event, the people named the day "Tết diệt sâu bá»" ("Kill Insects Festival").
Significance of the Dragon Boat Festival in Vietnam
In Vietnam, the Dragon Boat Festival has become a day to honor ancestors and protect against disease and insects. It is also a time to celebrate the abundance of the harvest.
Customs and Traditions
Food
Traditional foods of the festival include:
- Fruit and rice cakes for offerings
- Glutinous rice wine
- Black glutinous rice wine
- Cơm rượu (sticky rice fermented in water)
- Chè kê (sweet porridge made with kê grains)
Activities
Other customs include:
- Bathing in medicinal herbs
- Collecting and using medicinal leaves
- Practicing martial arts to chase away evil spirits
- Nailing lime to children's foreheads to prevent headaches and stomachaches
Origins: Not Solely Chinese
It is important to note that the Dragon Boat Festival is not solely derived from Chinese culture. It is a regional tradition that has evolved in different ways in Vietnam, Korea, and Japan. In Vietnam, the festival has its own unique significance and cultural practices.
Summary
The Dragon Boat Festival holds cultural and historical significance in Vietnam, where it is known as the "Kill Insects Festival." While the festival has its origins in Chinese legend, it has evolved to become a distinct Vietnamese tradition. Customs and activities include food offerings, bathing in medicinal herbs, collecting medicinal leaves, and martial arts. The festival is a time to honor ancestors, protect against disease and insects, and celebrate the abundance of the harvest.