As the Dragon Boat Festival approaches, the Lingnan region once again welcomes the annual spectacle of dragon boat races. From bustling city areas to tranquil riverside towns, the rhythmic drumming and cheers of the dragon boat activities resonate throughout.

Recently, dragon boat activities have been in full swing in various Guangdong cities. In Dongguan, Guangzhou, Foshan, and other areas, beautifully decorated dragon boats compete bravely on the rippling rivers, attracting numerous locals and tourists to come and watch. These dragon boats not only embody Lingnan people's love for traditional culture but also showcase a new vitality of Lingnan folk customs in the modern era.

In Xiasa Village, Huangpu District, Guangzhou, the masterful making of dragon heads is in progress. Zhang Weichao, a renowned dragon-head-making master in the village, is diligently carving the dragon heads with full concentration. His carving knife dances on the blocks of wood, giving birth to the vividly lifelike dragon heads.

The "Caiqing" ceremony (literally meaning "plucking the greens"), which involves gathering ritual items such as fresh longan leaves (symbolizing exuberance) and cypress branches (symbolizing everlasting vitality), is a prelude to the dragon boat activities during the Dragon Boat Festival. Following that, colorful silk balls made of red cloth will be hung on the dragon heads to pray for good luck. Subsequently, the dragon heads and tails that have been worshipped will be mounted on the dragon boats, and the dragon boat will then be set off from the river mouth. A bundle of young and fresh rice seedlings will be collected from the rice fields along the Pearl River to pray for peace and a bountiful harvest. As the central area of Guangzhou, Tianhe District is particularly lively with Caiqing activities among various villages, with many villagers flocking to the riverside to pray for blessings for their own dragon boats.

Chebei River and Shen River, as the venues for dragon boat races in Tianhe District, attract numerous spectators every year. This year's competition here is particularly fierce, with teams giving it their all to vie for the championship.

In addition to the thrilling dragon boat races, the exchange activities between different villages are also an important part of Lingnan dragon boat culture. During this special festival, villagers will make friendly contact with dragon boat teams from other villages. A dragon boat feast is an essential element of this tradition, where everyone sits together, enjoying delicious food, having small talks, and sharing the joy and warmth brought by the dragon boat culture.

In Nanhai District, Foshan, the unique dragon boat drifting attracts the attention of many tourists. This drifting skill originates from the boat-rowing techniques passed down from generation to generation in Diejiao Village. Its characteristics lie in the ability to make rapid turns and agile maneuvering in narrow river channels. During the competition, rowers need to rely on their superb skills and seamless coordination to accomplish various difficult drifting maneuvers.

Source：Yangcheng Evening News

岭南进入龙舟季，处处挥桨鼓声隆

随着端午节的临近，岭南地区再次迎来了一年一度的龙舟盛事。从繁华都市到宁静水乡，龙舟活动的鼓声与欢呼声此起彼伏。

近日，在广东省多地，龙舟活动如火如荼地展开。东莞、广州、佛山等地的河涌上，一艘艘装饰精美的龙舟在碧波荡漾中奋勇争先，吸引了众多市民和游客前来观看。这些龙舟不仅承载着岭南人民对传统文化的热爱，更展现了新时代岭南民俗的新活力。

在广州市黄埔区的下沙村，一场别具匠心的龙头制作正在进行。张伟潮，这位村里赫赫有名的龙头师傅，正专心致志地雕刻着龙头。他手中的刻刀在木块上飞舞，一个个栩栩如生的龙头便在这里诞生。

采青是端午节龙舟活动的前奏。村民们会采摘新鲜的龙眼叶（代表生猛旺盛）、柏枝（代表长青）等祭祀品，然后将红布扎成的彩球挂在龙头上，讨个好彩头。随后，将拜了神的龙头龙尾安在龙船上，划出涌口，并在珠江的稻田里采一束青壮的禾苗回来，祈求平安丰收。天河区作为广州市的中心区域，各村的龙舟采青活动格外热闹。村民们纷纷来到河边，为自家的龙舟采青祈福。

车陂涌与深涌作为天河区龙舟赛事的举办地，每年都会吸引众多游客前来观赛。今年的龙舟赛更是激烈异常，各支队伍都鼓足了劲头，争夺冠军。

除了激烈的龙舟赛事，各村之间的龙舟探亲活动也是岭南龙舟文化的重要组成部分。在这个特殊的节日里，村民们会邀请其他村的龙舟与村民前来联络感情。其中，吃龙舟饭是必不可少的环节，彼此围坐在一起，品尝着美食、聊着家常，共同感受着龙舟文化带来的欢乐和温馨。

在佛山市南海区，叠滘特色龙舟漂移吸引了众多游客的目光。这种龙舟漂移技艺源于叠滘村民世代相传的划船技巧，其特点是在狭窄的河道上快速转弯、灵活穿梭。在比赛中，选手们需要凭借高超的技艺和默契的配合，才能完成各种高难度的漂移动作。

文、图｜记者 钟振彬
翻译｜洪婷