Erlong River Introduction
According to legend, the early Pingpu tribe of the Kàmâlân people lived along the Erlong River, where every household had direct access to the river. However, there were frequent incidents of children drowning, prompting the Kàmâlân to drive away water spirits through boat racing. Later, even as Han people settled in the area, this tradition continued. During the Dragon Boat Festival, elders would lead rituals to bless the boats, followed by honoring the river gods, and then the exciting boat races would take place. Traditionally, the races were held in the afternoon, with only two competing teams, Qiwulan and Zhouzaiwei. Local villagers could take turns to participate, but outsiders and women were not allowed to compete. The competition method was quite unique, allowing only the beating of gongs, not drums, with participants rowing while standing. Winning and losing were determined solely by the audience and the crew members themselves, and villagers often declared themselves the winners, leading to many rounds of racing that wouldn't end easily. This fierce competition was for the "Peace Flag," which was regarded as the most sacred and auspicious symbol by the villagers, as well as the community's spirit of "losing to others but not losing face." Join in the celebrations at the Erlong River during the Dragon Boat Festival! The Erlong Boat Racing has now become a hallmark of Erlong Village, deeply uniting the hearts of its residents. The "Erlong Boat Racing," which takes place every year during the Dragon Boat Festival, has no starting official, no starting point, and no drum beats – it's a competition without referees. This race, which has been carried on since the Jiaqing period, boasts a rich history and is the most local flavor-filled dragon boat race, and it has been chosen by the Tourism Bureau as one of the twelve major folk activities in the country, making it a valuable cultural asset of Jiaoxi Township.
