Erlong River Introduction
According to legend, the early Pingpu tribe's Kamalan people settled along the Erlong River, where every household had direct access to the river in their backyard. However, there were frequent incidents of children drowning, so the Kamalan people drove away the water spirits by racing boats. Later, even as Han people settled in the area, this custom continued. During the Dragon Boat Festival, the elders of the community would lead a ceremony to worship and paint the eyes of the dragon, followed by paying respects to the river god, and then the exciting boat races would commence. Traditionally, the competition takes place in the afternoon, with only two teams, Qiwulan and Zhuzaiwei, participating. Villagers could take turns competing, but outsiders and women were not allowed to race. The competition method is unique; only gongs are struck, no drums are used, and the boats are rowed in a standing position. Victory and defeat are determined by the spectators and the team members themselves. The villagers often declare themselves as winners, leading to numerous rounds of racing, like ten or eight heats, without an end in sight. This intense competition seeks the "Peace Flag," which is regarded by the villagers as the most sacred and auspicious prize, embodying their fierce sports spirit of "losing to others but not to the arena." Join in the festivities at the Erlong River during the Dragon Boat Festival! The Erlong Dragon Boat Race has become a hallmark of Erlong Village, deeply resonating with the villagers' hearts. The "Erlong Dragon Boat Race," which has no starter, no starting point, and no drum sounds, is a competition without judges. Held annually during the Dragon Boat Festival, this race has been passed down since the Jiaqing era and boasts a long history, being the most locally flavored dragon boat competition. It has also been selected by the Tourism Bureau as one of the twelve major folk activities in the country, representing a valuable cultural asset of Jiaoxi Township.
