The Nantong folk song says, on May 5th of lunar calendar, people eat Zongzi for the dragon-boat festival. Besides Zongzi, fermented glutinous rice, toasted garlic, and braised yellow fish with garlic are also special foods in Nantong.
People like to put Acorus calamus and Argy Wormwood Leaf in room to drive out evil things. At noon, people spray realgar wine at home which is said that it can keep from poisonous insect. Children are put realgar wine on their faces and hands, and are drawn a Chinese letter 王 on their foreheads. It’s said that poisonous insects will not bite these children anymore. Children wear accessories made by colorful silk lines and spiceberries. They give off a good smell while children are moving.
The grandest activity is the Dragon boat race on the Haohe River, the ancient moat which now is a famous scenic spot. Many citizens gather here, cheer for the race.
Especially for kids and youth, these customs are helpful for educating Chinese tradition to them, because internet makes young people far and far away from tradition.
Ms. Tracy Zhang