D for Dumpling and Dragon boat
The dumpling festival falls every year on the 5th day of the 5th month Lunar Calendar. This day is celebrated to commemorate General Qu Yuan-a minister and a famous pioneer poet of ancient China who committed suicide by drowning himself into the river.
Qu Yuan, who was the minister for the state of Chu advocated a reform in his home state due to high corruption level. The King was angered upon hearing this and continually refused to listen to Qu Yuan's advice. He even banished Qu Yuan out of Chu. In exile, Qu Yuan wrote poetry expressing his concern for his people and his country. When he heard that his home had been invaded, he decided to drown himself in the Ni Lo River. His people tried to rescue him but it was too late, they splashed furiously and threw steamed rice wrapped with reed leaf into the river as a sacrifice to keep his spirit and to keep the fishes from consuming Qu Yuan's body.
Till now, it has been customary during the dumpling festival or also known as the dragon boat festival to enjoy rice dumplings as a memorial to the patriotic poet. Personally, I would never know the story behind this 'yummy' celebration if it weren't for this.
There are varieties of dumplings available not just during this day but throughout the year round. If you happened to walk pass Chinatown or opposite Bugis Market last week, you would have notice the long stretch of stalls selling Nonya dumplings, Five Spices Dumplings to Vegetarian dumplings in various prices, all ready for last Sunday celebration. Have you tried glutinous rice dumpling before? Some may not like it because of its faint smell. For me, I prefer the dumpling in the below picture because it is small in portion and it is best enjoyed with
kaya or just plain sugar (as Singaporean will say it, 'Shiok!'). ;p
Here are the different types of glutinous rice dumplings with meat and five spices fillings.
The other significance of the dumpling festival is none other than the dragon boat competition. Every year, countries like China, Hongkong, Singapore and many other Asian countries with Chinese majority will hold this competition. Bringing this closer to Sparks, the SC tried to propose a dragon boat activity but the idea seemed to have been splashed away due to low response.
Sparks! Is that true?
