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Tangerang dragon boat festival highlights diversity, religious inclusion
Held annually in Tangerang since 1910, the Peh Cun dragon boat festival commemorates the life of ancient poet and minister Qu Yuan, who committed suicide for the love of his country during China’s Warring States period.
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A dragon head decorates the prow of a boat. (JP/A. Kurniawan Ulung)
T
he Peh Cun dragon boat festival, held in and along the Cisadane River, recently returned to Tangerang, Banten, with people from all walks of life participating in traditional Chinese festivities.
Teams comprising people of various ethnicities and religious backgrounds competed in 500-meter boat races in the river, located along Jl. Kali Pasir in Sukasari subdistrict. Rowers, including those of the first-ever Tangerang Police team, paddled to the beat of drums, moving their arms rhythmically.
One team, Badak Cisadane (Cisadane Rhinos), was ecstatic after winning its quarterfinal match against Buddhi Dharma University in the papak (flat) boat category.
The Rhinos formed only three years ago but have participated in every boat race at the festival since the team’s inception. It currently has 23 members.
“Our team is composed of those of different ethnic backgrounds. I am Batak and another team member of mine is of Chinese descent. I am Christian and my compatriots are Buddhist and Muslim. We all work together, we just want to win,” said Badak Cisadane rower Alex Siahaan. The Rhinos placed third overall.
Races are divided into two categories: dragon boats and papak boats. The boat length for both categories is roughly 17 meters. However, the former features boats that are made to resemble dragons, while the latter features plain boats.
Sixteen teams participated in the dragon boat category and another sixteen in the papak category. Each team can have up to 25 members, including substitutions.
