Zigui is the hometown of Qu Yuan, the famous patriotic poet of the Warring States Period. But the original town was submerged as part of the Three Gorges Dam project. So how do the former residents of old Zigui spend Dragon Boat Festival?
Xiong Huike runs a restaurant at Xilingxia village in Zigui County. He and his family emigrated from old Zigui town before the water level of the Three Gorges Reservoir reached 135 meters in 2003. During Dragon Boat Festival, he still climbs the mountains to collect mugwort leaves, a local tradition.
Xiong Huike, Mrgrant, said, "It’s a tradition. I always climb up to gather mugwort as the festival approaches."
The celebration is also a time for warding off harm and disease for the rest of the year. Xiong Huike hangs the mugwort leaves as a talisman on his front door to protect his family.
His family prepare Zongzi, rice wrapped in reed leaves. It was used to ward the fishes away from Qu Yuan’s body, nowadays it’s a popular festival snack.
Xiong Huike, Mrgrant, said, "Our life improved after we moved. I have my own restaurant now, and I’ve bought a car. But it’s more difficult for our large family to gather together in one place for the Dragon Boat Festival. "
"Xilingxia village is one of the new villages built for migrants in Zigui county. Its inhabitants are people who relocated from the Three Gorges Dam. During Dragon Boat Festival, they keep the old traditions alive."
Hanging mugwort leaves isn’t enough to keep children safe from harm and disease. Another migrant in the village boils mugwort leaves and bathes her granddaughter in the water.
Xilingxia village in the new Zigui county stands at the entrance to Xiling Gorge. Its inhabitants live along a stretch of mountain here.
Xiong Huike, Mrgrant, said, "My whole family used to live below here. Now it ’s been submerged under water. I miss my hometown."
Over 3000 thousand people in the old Zigui town moved to higher ground to enable the building of the Dam. Life has improved for these migrants, and the Dragon Boat Festival has changed with it. Xia Ruixue, CCTV, Zigui, Hubei province.