Intl students join Ningbo villagers in Duanwu festivities

International students and local residents in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, came together as a community to celebrate the upcoming Duanwu Festival with colorful traditions.

Held in Taojiazhai in the city's Fenghua district, the 2025 Fenghua Nice Duanwu event offered a vibrant mix of cultural experiences, including making sachets and colorful zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), drinking the traditional welcome wine of the Zhuang ethnic group, and partaking in bamboo pole dancing. Featuring the theme "Fragrant Leaves, Deep Feelings", the event drew enthusiastic participation from international students at the Business School of Ningbo University, who joined villagers in a joyful celebration.

Students followed step-by-step guidance from Zhuang women as they wrapped glutinous rice and herbal juice into festive zongzi, tying them with colorful strings. The bamboo pole dance drew particular excitement, with Jessica, a student from Tanzania, practicing the steps until she matched the rhythm with ease.

"I've been in China for two years, but this is my first time experiencing the Dragon Boat Festival in Ningbo," she said.

Students also tried their hand at making traditional lye-water zongzi, a classic Ningbo treat, and helped deliver the freshly steamed zongzi to elderly residents in the village.

Wu Min, deputy Party secretary of the business school, noted that the program is part of a broader Walking Cultural Classes initiative, regularly held during traditional Chinese festivals.

International students taste traditional Zhuang-style welcome wine. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

International students dance the bamboo pole dance alongside Zhuang women. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Local villagers teach international students how to make zongzi. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]