Dar marks dragon boat festival debut
DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIA’S commercial capital of Dar es Salaam came alive with color, rhythm, and cross-cultural celebration recently as it hosted its first ever Dragon Boat Festival, a hallmark of traditional Chinese culture. The event, held in the bustling Masaki area, drew crowds of Tanzanians and foreign residents alike, all eager to experience the …
DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIA’S commercial capital of Dar es Salaam came alive with color, rhythm, and cross-cultural celebration recently as it hosted its first ever Dragon Boat Festival, a hallmark of traditional Chinese culture.
The event, held in the bustling Masaki area, drew crowds of Tanzanians and foreign residents alike, all eager to experience the vibrant customs of one of China’s most cherished festivals.
The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as the Duanwu Festival, traditionally falls on the fifth day of the fifth month in the Chinese lunar calendar.
This year, the celebration occurred last Saturday bringing with it a flurry of cultural activities from the tasting of traditional zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) to colorful displays and immersive storytelling about the life and legacy of Qu Yuan, the poet and statesman who inspired the festival more than 2,000 years ago.
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Organized by CRJE (East Africa) Ltd, a major Chinese engineering and construction firm operating in Tanzania, the event marked a new chapter in cultural diplomacy and people-to-people exchange between the two countries. CRJE Director Jiang Yuntao, addressing attendees at the opening ceremony, emphasized the importance of the festival in fostering mutual understanding.
“This event has attracted a large number of Tanzanians and foreign friends who have come to experience the unique charm of the Dragon Boat Festival,” said Jiang.
“It’s one of the four major traditional Chinese festivals, and it reflects our history, values, and hopes for health, protection, and community,” he said.
The Dragon Boat Festival dates back more than two millennia and are deeply rooted in Chinese folklore. It commemorates Qu Yuan, a loyal minister during the Warring States period (475–221 B.C.) who took his own life in protest against political corruption.
Legend has it that local people, in a bid to save or honor him, paddled boats into the river and threw rice into the waters to keep fish from eating his body—a story that gave rise to both dragon boat racing and the preparation of zongzi.
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“These traditions— from racing dragon boats to wearing scented sachets and hanging mugwort leaves— are believed to ward off evil and bring good health,” Jiang explained.
“In 2009, UNESCO recognized the Dragon Boat Festival as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, underlining its global cultural significance.” The event in Dar es Salaam included not just food and festivities, but also educational exhibits, interactive stations, and cultural performances showcasing Chinese music, dance, and traditional crafts.
It was not only a celebration but an invitation a gesture of openness aimed at deepening cultural ties. Many attendees responded with enthusiasm and appreciation. Tanzanian resident John William described the event as “overwhelming—in the best way possible.” “It’s possibly the most awesome thing we’ve seen in Dar recently,” he said.
“More than just a celebration, it’s a chance for cultures to meet, for people to learn from one another, and to understand how much we actually have in common.” He added that the Dragon Boat Festival could serve as a model for cultural engagement across borders. “When we celebrate each other’s traditions, we create opportunities for dialogue.
The way today’s event was structured—with cultural context, explanation, and inclusion—was fantastic.” The festival also signals a broader trend: China’s growing cultural presence in Africa, particularly in Tanzania, where strong diplomatic and economic relations continue to evolve.