Dragon Boat Racing and eating Zongzi are part of the annual festival that celebrates the life of this loyal Chinese courtier from more than 2000 years ago. This year U3A took part in the celebrations when Class Leader Lan Tiet showed members how to make the famous sticky rice dumplings.
One of the most popular legends behind the Dragon Boat Festival is the story of Qu Yuan (340-278BC) who was a patriotic poet and a loyal official of the state of Chu and dedicated his whole life to supporting his King during the Warring States Period.
Qu Yuan advised the King to ally Chu with the State of Qi to fight against the most powerful State of Qin. For this advice, Qu Yuan was accused of treason and sent into exile by the King.
In 278 BC, the Qin State conquered the capital of Chu. On hearing of the defeat, on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month, Qu Yuan, in great despair, drowned himself in the Miluo River.
After Qu Yuan jumped into the river, local people paddled their boats to drive the fish away and fed the water creatures with Zongzi, sticky rice dumplings, so that Qu Yuan’s body would not become their dinner.
Since then, Chinese people commemorate Qu Yuan each year by Dragon Boat Racing and eating Zongzi.
To share this ancient Chinese tradition, Class Leader Lan Tiet invited members of her Line Dancing class and other U3A members who were interested, to participate in a dumpling making session.
About 20 people gathered in Studio 7 on 26 May to learn how to wrap the glutinous black and white rice with toppings of mung bean paste, lotus seed, water chestnuts, dried mushrooms, egg yolk and pork belly.
Sweet versions often have a base of white sticky rice with purple sweet potato paste and grated coconut.
The dumplings were wrapped in bamboo leaves and tied with cotton string before being boiled and taken home. Zongzi can be served hot or cold.
Thanks to Lan for sharing the story of this ancient festival and her cooking skills with other U3A members. You can see the enthusiastic dumpling makers in action in the photo gallery.