The one here in Kaiping is happening next Wednesday to coincide with the making of sticky rice wrapped in bamboo leaves. I don't wish any participant to fall into the Tanjiang River; it's polluted as hell. The Cangjiang River in front of our condo is so poluuted, I once saw a cattle carcass floating in the water. Down the street from our place are the houseboats where I once saw a woman chopping the boiled cat's paws into the water. These boatpeople also use these same water to wash their hair & clothes and to boil their meals.
We can hear the people practicing at night by listening to the sounds of the drumbeats row by.
My wife said that the Dragonboat Races are held to honour a dead Chinese poet who perished in the sea many centuries ago. Chinese people make the rice bamboo food and toss it into the sea to feed his soul.
Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe that competitions are held now so the local winners will all race in the big annual Hong Kong Boat Festival.
Josh ... are they serving the famous K.C BBQ at your race ?
