Celebration of diversity, Chinese culture

NOT only did scores of people from Cape Town's Chinese community show up for this year’s "Cultures of China - Cape Town Dragon Boat Festival" celebrations at Battery Park at the V&A Waterfront, but so did locals.

- THEOLIN TEMBO

Traditionally held on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival (Duanwu) commemorates Qu Yuan, the devoted statesman and poet from the Warring States period, whose legacy lives on through spirited boat races and the sharing of sticky rice dumplings, or zongzi.

Building on last year’s success, several enthusiastic paddlers competed. Competitors battled in 100m and 500m sprints, with a tug-of-war race on the water adding extra excitement.

On Saturday, spectators lined the Battery Park shoreline to cheer on the crews and enjoyed cultural performances, traditional music, and a showcase of Chinese heritage throughout the afternoon.