Expats experience Dragon Boat Festival culture

[Video by Chang Xinkai for chinadaily.com.cn]

In anticipation of the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival, Ningjin county, Dezhou city in East China's Shandong province, welcomed a group of 10 expats from Tajikistan to immerse themselves in the customs of the festival.

The expats were provided with hands-on instruction by local volunteers in the intricate art of crafting zongzi, a traditional Chinese sticky rice dish wrapped in plant leaves. After tasting the zongzi, the expats unanimously praised its flavor.

Furthermore, the expats were introduced to the cultural significance and practical uses of scented sachets, or xiangnang. These sachets, often stuffed with Chinese herbs, serve the purposes of insect repellence, warding off evil spirits and promoting good health. Guided by their instructors, the expats attempted to create sachets themselves.

The act of gifting fans during the festival signifies the dispelling of negativity and the welcoming of blessings. Under the guidance of their mentors, the expats also practiced fan painting.

The expats were captivated by the profound art of traditional Chinese opera, which is steeped in historical and cultural significance. They were fascinated by the melodic tunes of traditional Chinese instruments and the skilled vocal performances. Following the performance, the expats even had the opportunity to try their hand at playing the instruments.

To wrap up the event, the group visited the China Wood Carving Art Museum in the Debai Acrobatic Cricket Happy Valley, where they participated in touhu, an ancient game in which contestants throw arrows into wine pitchers while adorned in hanfu, the traditional attire of the Han ethnic group. (Edited by Du Xiaping)