On the afternoon of May 30th, the student community centers of both Quanzhou and Xiamen campuses —— Qiaoyuan Neighborhood Center and Yuxiu Qiaoyuan were filled with the fragrant aroma of zongzi and cheerful laughter. Over 300 faculty members and students from China’s HongKong, Macao, and Taiwan regions, as well as countries including Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Myanmar, Peru, and Thailand, gathered together to celebrate Dragon Boat Festival. They wrapped zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), wove colorful threads, made sachets, shot the “Five Poisons”, and crafted mugwort pendants, experiencing the richness of Chinese traditions first hand.
“First, roll the leaves into a funnel shape, then fill them with glutinous rice and stuffing, and finally tie them tight with cotton thread…” The staff at the Student Community Center demonstrated step by step while patiently giving instructions. Students gathered in a circle, intently working on the zongzi in their hands. Soon, the tables were filled with an array of uniquely shaped zongzi—some angular like pillows, others plump resembling pagodas. The fresh fragrance of zongzi leaves intertwined with the sweet aroma of the glutinous rice, painting a vivid picture of the festive celebration.
In the handicraft zone, students from both China and abroad joined together to experience traditional folk activities such as making sachets, weaving five-colored bracelets, and crafting mugwort pendants. Some bent their heads in concentration as they threaded needles, while others exchanged tips on techniques like “flat stitching” and “overlock stitching”, recapturing the intricacy and warmth of traditional craftsmanship through collaboration. In the fun game zone, activities like “Shooting the Five Poisons”, “Fishing for Zongzi”, and “Pitching the Pot” were in full swing. “Bullseye! Five perfect hits in a row!” Cheers erupted over the courtyard of Yuxiu Qiaoyuan as the traditional shooting game sparked waves of excitement.
HQU “One-Stop” Student Community leverages folk culture as a bridge to regularly organize experiential activities centered on fine traditional Chinese culture. These initiatives have profoundly enhanced the cultural heritage and global outreach of Chinese culture among the student population. The cultural practice activities vividly exemplify the ideological and educational essence of nurturing through cultural engagement, transforming folk activities into platforms for fostering cultural confidence and empowering Chinese and overseas students to better present China to the world.
Staff from Student Community Center Giving Instructions
Wrapping Zongzi
Making Sachets
Crafting Mugwort Pendants
Shooting “Five Poisons”
(Editor: Wei Linying)
