Hong Kong: The birthplace of modern dragons

Modern dragonboat racing is practiced in more than 60 countries. But it is best experienced in Hong Kong where you can still feel the passion that once drove this city to share its culture with the world.

Dragonboats are long slim boats with a dragon’s head protruding from the bow and a dragon’s tail affixed to the stern. They are powered by 2 rows of paddlers, with a helmsman in the back and a drummer in the front or middle. Traditionally they are made of wood, but the fibre-glass vessels are becoming common. They exist in 3 sizes.

Traditionally, dragonboating is a male activity. Women were forbidden to touch a dragon, especially when they were pregnant or menstruating, because a dragon is the symbol of male vigour. But now also women can do this sport.

Dragonboat racing started more than 2000 years ago in China as a ceremony for worshipping gods of the sea. It is associated with the Tuen Ng Festival which is celebrated in late spring. Dragonboating was meant to dispel the ‘fog and filthy air’ and to keep the gods happy. But that’s the researcher’s version. When you ask any Chinese about the origin of the dragonboat they will mention Qu Yuan. This was a loyal statesman who drowned himself in the river. People were worried that fish would consume their here so they unleashed their boats and threw rice dumplings into the water to distract them. Since then races have been held every year to honour the day of Qu’s passing.

In 1976 it all changed. Hong Kong held the world’s first international dragonboat races. In the first year boaters from Japan competed with nine local fishermen’s teams. In the next 2 years representatives from Malaysia and Singapore joined the event. Soon competitions were being organized in these countries and in Australia and Canada. In 1980, three dragonboats from Hong Kong made their debut on the River Thames. Today dragonboat is a very popular sport in Hong Kong. The city has the greatest number of teams (400). They are all non-pais and voluntary.

The most spectacular events during the racing season in Hong Kong are the Fishermen’s races. Especially the Tin Hau regatta is very popular.