The unique "Drunken Dragon" festival of the people of Macau

(NADS) - People drink wine and dance with wooden dragon heads in the Drunken Dragon Festival to commemorate the merit of a Zen master in saving sentient beings.

It is a unique traditional folk festival held by fishermen in Macao. Traditionally, on the evening of the seventh day of the fourth lunar month, fishermen in Macao gather at the market, where they sit around tables to have a meal, which gradually developed into the custom of holding a “longevity” banquet.

Image of a man spraying wine on a dragon's head during the "Drunken Dragon" festival

According to the legend of the people of Macao (China), in the early years of the Qing Dynasty, the country suffered a drought and fell into a terrible famine. Fortunately, thanks to the help of a Zen Master and a Dragon, the people here escaped the disaster. To commemorate the merits of the Zen Master and the Dragon, every year on the Zen Master's birthday, the people of Macao hold the "Drunken Dragon" Festival.

Two men are drinking wine together from a wine jug, preparing for the performance.

During the festival, they used wood to make dragon heads and tails for performances. Festival participants held wine in their mouths and sprayed it to create layers of mist on the dragon heads, intentionally making the dragons drunk. However, at the end of the ceremony, most of the people were found to be drunk.

The "Drunken Dragon" dance takes place to vibrant music, attracting locals and tourists to watch.

Source: https://nhiepanhdoisong.vn/le-hoi-rong-say-doc-dao-cua-nguoi-dan-macao-15490.html