Erlong River Introduction
According to legend, the Kavalan people of the Pingpu tribe lived along the Er-long River in the early days, with every household's backyard directly connected to the river. However, it was common for children to drown, so the Kavalan people devised a competitive boat race to drive away the aquatic spirits. Later, even with Han settlers integrating into their communities, this custom continued. During the Dragon Boat Festival, the elders would lead the worship and the eye-dotting ceremony, followed by the worship of the river god, and then the exciting boat races would begin. Traditionally, the races took place in the afternoon, with only two teams, Qiwulian and Zhouzaiwei, participating. Villagers could take turns competing, but outsiders and women were not allowed to participate. The competition method was unique, as only gongs were used, without drums, and competitors rowed while standing. Winning or losing was determined by the spectators and team members, yet villagers often believed their side to be the true victor, resulting in multiple rounds of racing that rarely concluded easily. This fierce competition was fought over the "Peace Flag," regarded by villagers as the most sacred and auspicious, embodying their competitive spirit of "never concede defeat." Come to the banks of Er-long River during the Dragon Boat Festival to joyfully support the event! The Er-long Boat Racing: The Er-long Boat Racing has now become a defining feature of Er-long Village, deeply resonating with the villagers. The "Er-long Boat Racing," without an official starter, no starting line, and no drumbeats, is a competition without judges. Held annually during the Dragon Boat Festival, this event has been passed down since the Jiaqing period, boasting a long history and strong local flavor. It has been selected by the Tourism Bureau as one of the twelve major folk activities in the nation and is a valuable cultural asset of Jiaoxi Township.
