The Dragon Boat Festival

In China, toward the end of June, people celebrate a holiday known as the Dragon Boat Festival. The festival is held to honour the memoryof Qu Xuan a politican and poet who in the year 278 B.C. have commited suicide by jumping into river. It is said that local people threw rice dumplings into water to save Xuan's soul from the evil spirits in the river. Now boat races are held evey year to remind people of the search for the body of the dead poet. Spectators eat rice cakes and crews row large dragon-shaped boats. Some reserchers say that dragon boat existed long before the death of Xuan and the modern festival is a combination of several old traditions.