Situating at the estuary of the Pearl River Delta with its unique geographical and ecological environment, Tai O was a major port for fishing, salt-making, agricultural and commercial activities. Various ethnic groups intermingled and a local ritual system was formed. During the annual Dragon Boat Festival, on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month, three fishermen associations, namely Pa Teng Hong, Sin Yu Hong and Hop Sum Tong, conduct their "Dragon Boat Parade" ritual.

The day before the festival, members of the fishermen associations paddle their dragon boats to visit the four main temples, Yeung Hau, San Tsuen Tin Hou, Kwan Tei and Hung Shing, to carry the traveling deity images, which represent Tai O' s four patron deities, to their associations. During the day of the festival, the traveling deity images are put on the "sacred sampans," towed by the respective dragon boats, to parade Tai O's water areas to pacify the wandering water ghosts. Residents of stilted houses along the water-courses burn paper offerings while the dragon boats pass. The fishermen associations hold banquets to celebrate the festival in the evening.

The South China Research Center has been actively involved in studying community culture and history and promoting heritage education. By introducing a community service program through participation in rituals of the Dragon Boat Festival in Tai O, we hope that the participants can gain a first-hand experience and understanding of how local society maintains their traditions, or "Intangible Cultural Heritage", a popular topic in recent years Hong Kong.

We would like to recruit university students to join this meaningful service and learning activity. Participants will assist in the local religious activities, moving and rowing dragon boats and to experience the local festival celebration.

大澳位於珠江的出口。珠江口的生態環境和珠江三角洲的社會經濟活動密切地影響著大澳社會。大澳的獨特生態環境和地理位置，促成了漁業、鹽業、農業與商業的發展，以及不同背景的族群定居。在漫長的歷史演變過程中，大澳居民發展出一套特有的民間儀式體系。每年端午節，大澳三個傳統漁業行會（扒艇行、鮮魚行和合心堂）均舉辦傳統「龍舟遊涌」活動。

行會成員於農曆五月初四日前往楊侯廟、新村天后廟、關帝廟、洪聖廟請出四間廟宇的小神像，接返各行會供奉祭祀。在農曆五月初五日，進行遊涌活動，由龍舟拖著載有神像的小艇巡遊各水道，沿途化衣祭幽，兩岸棚屋居民亦焚香拜祭。儀式活動過後便把小神像送返各廟宇，行會成員在晚上聚餐慶祝端午節。

香港科技大學華南研究中心致力推動華南地區社會歷史與文化研究，並開展文物教育活動。近年來，「非物質文化遺產」的保育成為一個熱門的議題，我們希望透過參與體驗和社區服務的方式，讓香港大專院校同學瞭解如何保育「非物質文化遺產」，親身體驗大澳端午節舉行的「龍舟遊涌」儀式和慶典活動。現誠邀各香港院校同學參與文物保育和社區服務行動。