Savory bundles of tradition

In the markets and on the Web, the sale of zongzi, or rice dumplings, is now white hot, with the Duanwu Festival just around the corner. Pauline D. Loh looks at a very tasty tradition and how it is being carried forward.

Many stories surround Duanwu, the mid-summer festival that also commemorates the death of the patriot Qu Yuan (339-278 BC). This year it is on June 23. True to the trusted Chinese farmer's almanac, Duanwu usually marks the time when temperatures soar and pests and pestilence are out in full party. That is why this is also the time when mugwort bunches are hung on doors and xionghuang (realger) wine is drunk and splashed on floors, to fumigate pests inside and out.

The more active will now take to the nearest body of water and engage in vigorous rowing contests in dragon boats. Apart from giving those involved a good workout, this activity also gave the festival its other name, the Dragon Boat Festival.