The Legend behind Dragon Boat About 2300 years ago, during the Warring States period, a well-respected poet and statesmen named "Qu Yuan" lived in the Chinese Kingdom of Chu and served the government with integrity as Minister of State. He championed political reform and truth as essential to a healthy state. The King, who had fallen under the influence of corrupt ministers, banished him from the kingdom because of his political beliefs While wandering the countryside Qu Yuan composed some of China's greatest poetry expressing his fervent love and his deep concern for his country. Upon learning of Chu's devastation at the hands of a rival kingdom, he committed suicide by throwing himself into the Milo River holding a great rock in a display of his heartfelt sorrow. In an unsuccessful attempt to save him, some local fishermen who witnessed Qu Yuan's desperate act, tried to save the patriotic poet. They sailed up and down the river to look for him and desperately thrashed the water with their oars and paddles to scare off the hungry fishes which might eat his body. To commemorate the patriotic man, the fishermen and rural town folks threw cooked rice dumplings wrapped in silk or banana leaves, into the water in order to appease the spirits of the river on his death anniversary. From then on, the dragon boat races were also held to honour the beloved poet's act of courage. In the present day, the Dragon Boat Festival is held annually in different nations worldwide. In China alone, 20 million people are active in this sport, which is organised in the various cities and provinces
