On June 12th, 2013, Confucius Institute at Egerton university united their Chinese teachers and students together by celebrating Chinese traditional Duanwu festival on this special day. Duanwu festival, also known as Dragon Boat festival and Double Fifth festival, is traditionally celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th month of the Lunar calendar, in memory of patriotic poet and statesman Qu Yuan, of the Chu kingdom during the Warring States period.

On this eventful day, Kenyan students were fully exposed to the knowledge of this meaningful Chinese festival by involving in photo exhibition, Zongzi preparing (making of Chinese traditional sticky rice dumplings which to be eaten during Duanwu festival) and receiving gift cards from Chinese Teachers of Confucius Institute.

“Duanwu festival was originated over 2000 years ago, which is one of the biggest traditional festival in China.” Said LuYang, the new arrived volunteer teacher of Confucius Institute, introducing to the crowd of curious students attracted by her eye-opening speeches. “ On this day, Chinese people make sticky rice dumplings, race dragon boats, drink realgar wine, to commemorate Our great patriotic poet Qu Yuan. Students also learnt to say a few festival terms in Chinese such as “ 端午节快乐”(Happy Duanwu festival)，粽子（zongzi），赛龙舟（dragon boat racing）

After learning about the history of Duanwu festival, Chinese teachers brought students’ involvements of Duanwu Festival to an entire new level by having them participating in preparing of Zongzi. Li Yuan, Director of Confucius institute at Egerton University, patiently demonstrated the techniques of making sticky rice dumplings, and explaining details to every students. Satisfied by the tastes of the Zonzi made through their own hands, students also brought taste of joy to every Chinese teacher by telling them “We love Zongzi, we love Duanwu jie!”. By the end of the event, Students also received festival related gift cards from Chinese teacher Zheng Dandan and Li Qi.

June 12th has been a eventful day for both Confucius Institute at Egerton University

and Kenyan students, who have tasted the sweetness of Duanwu festival and developed great interests in Chinese culture. Neriya, who is currently studying at Confucius Insitute, said with excitement “My elder brother is studying in China now, I’ll go to China too in the future, to learn everything about great Chinese culture!”

Teacher LU YANG of Confucius Institute at Egerton University is explaining the history of Duanwu Festival