A traditional dragon boat race was held to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival in Zigui county, Yichang city in Central China’s Hubei province on May 30.

As a highlight of the Dragon Boat Festival, which falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, the race involved 12 dragon boat teams forming an array at Xujiachong harbour to participate in both the 500-meter race and 5000-meter race.

The dragon boat race culture in Zigui county can be traced back to ancient times. Before the dragon boat race, several activities were to be held to memorize Qu Yuan, the great patriotic poet, such as calling the soul over the river and throwing zongzi, glutinous rice wrapped in reed leaves, into the river.

The dragon boat race includes four sections: a river tour, necromancy, boat races and back to the boat. There are beating drums and singing, the race is exciting, and calling the soul is the most touching part of the event.

Every dragon boat activity includes the ceremony of calling the soul of Qu Yuan, who committed suicide in Miluo River to show his loyalty to his country. During the section of calling the soul, dragon boat team members and the audience on the banks will throw zongzi into the river and sing the "calling song", which is magnificent and touching.

At the beginning of every fourth lunar month, local people start to prepare for the festival. Men are busy repairing the dragon boats and women devote themselves to preparing glutinous rice, polygonum leaves, wormwood and calamus. When the festival comes, families eat zongzi, boiled eggs, garlic, and drink realgar wine. The lively atmosphere continues to the end of the festival.

A traditional dragon boat race is held to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival in Zigui county, Yichang city in Hubei province on May 30.[Provided to China Daily]

The race involves 12 dragon boat teams.[Provided to China Daily]

Several activities are also held to memorize Qu Yuan, the great patriotic poet, in the activity.[Provided to China Daily]

Edited by Brian Salter and Le Qin