The Dragon Boat Festival has passed, but in Dutou Village, Shanghua Town, Chenghai District, Shantou City, the sound of gongs and drums of dragon boat races can still be heard from time to time. The dragon boat competition here is the latest in the surrounding areas. On June 15, the tenth day of the fifth lunar month, the Dutou Village 2024 Dragon Boat Friendly Competition was held in the inner area of Hanjiang Xixi River. 20 dragon boats from the village competed here.
That morning, colorful flags were fluttering on the embankment around the competition venue. The shore was already densely packed with spectators watching the competition. Citizens came from surrounding areas to witness this unique dragon boat race.
The dragon boats here only have simpler textures and "eyes" similar to those of a red-headed boat. There are cabins separated by wooden boards for five pairs of radiators, plus drumming, steering and gong beating, for a total of 13 people per boat. On the day of the competition, 20 dragon boat teams organized by the "Shetou" in the village drew lots and competed in pairs. During the competition, the sterns of the two boats were tied to wooden stakes on the water with straw ropes, and they rowed in opposite directions, stretching the straw ropes. Gotta be straight. After the competition call is sounded, there is a person holding a sickle next to the wooden stake to cut off the straw rope, and the radiators on the boat work together to urge the dragon boat to break through the waves and move forward. Because the competition in the village adopts an elimination system, once a team is eliminated, it has no chance to compete for the championship, so the team members use all their strength to strive for the top.
The unique elimination competition system, flexible hull, strong rafters, and enthusiastic audience make the annual dragon boat race in Dutou Village a large-scale folk event that is loved by villages in all directions.
In this year’s competition, in addition to the fierce schedule, a young drummer particularly attracted the attention of the crowd. Zeng Shuotong, a young drummer, is only 14 years old this year. Although he is the youngest athlete in the competition, he is very impressive when playing the drums. Full of strength and style, he commands the team members on the dragon boat with great style. Zeng Shuotong said that this was his first time participating in a formal competition. With the joint efforts of his teammates, he won two rounds in the competition that day.
"I have been very fond of dragon boat racing since I was a child. My father, grandfather, and great-grandfather are all drummers. They were very handsome when I watched them compete since I was a child, so I have been training with the dragon boat team since last year and officially participated in the competition this year." Zeng Shuotong said.
The reporter learned that the drummer not only needs to grasp the rhythm and direct the rafters of the whole boat, but also is responsible for "grabbing the green" at the finish line, which is a great test of the corresponding abilities. Zeng Shuotong's father, Zeng Qinglian, was also a drummer. He was a father-son soldier. The father and son served as drummers on different ships in the same team. "I was fourteen or fifteen years old when I participated in the competition." Zeng Qinglian proudly introduced that this year, his son trained with the team members in his spare time. The competition day happened to be a weekend, and he played the drums well, so he Officially participating in the competition. "I feel very happy that children can participate in traditional folk culture, and I hope more people can participate." Zeng Qinglian said.
Text, pictures, video｜Reporter Zeng Kequan Correspondent Fang Muying
