Latest news with #DumplingFestival
The Star
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Dragon boat racers cut through choppy waters
First place finish: Ng (right) is all smiles as he and his team reach the shore after winning a dragon boat race in Tanjung Bungah, Penang. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star GEORGE TOWN: Wading through rough waters while keeping up their stamina was an arduous task, but one Dragon Boat team persevered, reaching the finishing line more than a minute ahead of the rest. Celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival with a memorable victory, Penang Municipal Park Rowing Club team captain Ng Wei Liang, 22, said rowing for 4km straight was something new for the team. 'We have participated in various competitions and events, but they are usually 200m or 500m sprints. 'This is our first time taking part in such a lengthy route and the waters were rough, especially around Pulau Tikus island. 'It was a difficult route and with the waves being choppy around the island, coupled with the strong winds, manoeuvring was difficult. 'I am surprised at our speed and happy that we managed to win,' he said, when met at the Penang Chinese Swimming Club in Tanjung Bungah, Penang, yesterday. Ng, whose team raced under the club's banner, clocked in at 18.42mins, while the second-place Penang Titan, clocked in at 19.55mins. Coming in third was Dragon Venture at 22.22mins. Ng said that although the team participated in other Malaysian dragon boat races, this one was special as it was the first time they raced on the actual festival date. 'It is nice that we are racing with different Penang-based teams as well. 'This was a last-minute decision, so it took us a while to find rowers who were available. 'We only managed to have two weeks of training, but it worked out well,' he said. Ng said the team members were pleased with their stamina and coordination. 'I was doubtful we would be able to handle it, especially with limited time for practice, but we are happy that we managed to win,' he added. Penang Chinese Swimming Club president and event organising chairman Victor Tan said that while it was a competition, the celebration was more about bringing Penangites together to celebrate the festival. 'We want them to enjoy the festival on the actual date. 'We had the 300m sprint for the dragon boats as well as other rowing events, including stand-up paddling, canoeing and sculling. 'We had a dumpling-making demonstration as well,' he said. The Dumpling Festival, also known as the Dragon Boat Festival, is observed on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. This year, it fell on May 31.
The Star
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Dragon Boat Festival celebrated in Sungai Siput to preserve tradition
SUNGAI SIPUT: About 100 people gathered at the Kg Baru Rimba Panjang basketball court this morning to celebrate Duan Wu Jie, also known as the Dragon Boat Festival. The event, attended by village residents, was officiated by Perak Tourism Committee Chairman Loh Sze Yee. Loh emphasized the importance of educating younger generations about the origins of traditional festivals like the Dumpling Festival to preserve cultural heritage. "Young people need to be curious about their traditions. They should ask questions like why we eat dumplings or the story behind the dragon boat. There is a reason behind every element, a deeper meaning that often gets forgotten," he said to reporters today (May 24). He added that understanding the historical and cultural significance behind such practices is key to keeping them alive. "It's not just about the food or the celebration; it's about the message and the story behind it. It's important to have knowledge in preserving our traditions," he added. In Malaysia, a key highlight of Duan Wu Jie, celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, is enjoying dumplings with family and friends. The festival commemorates the poet Qu Yuan, who drowned himself about 1,000 years ago to protest corrupt practices in China. After his death, people threw zongzi in a gesture to stop fish from feeding on his remains.
