The Dragonboat Festival(龙舟节）
The Dragonboat Festival takes place on the fifth day of lunar[lju:nE] month,usually around the summar solstice.It probably started as a festival to celebrate the planting of the rice crop and to pray for a good rainfall.Long ago,people believed that dragons controlled rivers and rain.They put offerings in the rivers so that the dragons would bring rain for crops.
The highlight of the festival today is the dragonboat race.dragonboats are long,narrow boats with a carved dragon's head at one end and a tail at the other.Up to 80 rovers paddle together.A coxswain sits in the front of the boat and shouts directions and sets the pace for the rowers using a large drum.The races are very noisy and exciting.Teams try to trick each other into making a wrong move.Teams often come to blows with each other.