Islanders march, rather than row, on Dragon Boat Day

Qi'ao Island in the Zhuhai Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone (Tangjiawan) hosted the opening ceremony for the 9th Intangible Cultural Heritage Festival at Su Zhaozheng Square on June 18. Festivities coincided with the Qi'ao Dragon Boat Festival Blessings Parade.

The zone's Civil Affairs Bureau sponsored the event to promote the protection of cultural heritages and uphold the colorful folk culture of the region.

Qi'ao Dragon Boat Festival Blessings Parade

Islanders and visitors were treated to intangible cultural heritage performances such as the state-level Sanzao Crane Dance, province-level Shatian Folk Song, and dances that included elements of Tangjiawan Tea Refreshments. Audiences also saw how Tangjiawan Refreshments and Tangjia Maks Cakes are made, both being municipal-level intangible cultural heritage items.

Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month on the lunar calendar, which fell on June 18 this year. Unlike many other places in China, Qi'ao villagers celebrate with a blessings parade rather than dragon boat races.

Lion dances and prayer blessings

Designated a city-level intangible cultural heritage in 2013 and principal-level representative item in 2015, the Qi'ao Blessings Parade is when locals pray for good weather for crops as well as for safety.

Dozens of revered elders clean sculptures of the Tin Hau Goddess, Tide Grandfather, Cai Second General, and others before putting them into two palanquins. Led by dragon and lion dances, the procession also includes offerings, articles of tribute, and firecrackers.

The event attracted around 1,500 visitors to Qi'ao Island on the day.

Tangjiawan Tea Refreshments  [Photos provided by Zhuhai Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone]