Chapter 13 Religious Ceremonies

Taipei City is a typical immigrant metropolis that celebrates an infusion of religious beliefs, cultures, customs and lifestyles brought by different ethnic groups. The year 2008 also witnessed multifarious and colorful ritual galas and religious ceremonies. Apart from these activities, the Taipei City Government in 2008 also implemented a myriad of innovative ritual measures that broke away from the traditional, rigid elements and brought together the communities and residents in the twelve city districts that are unique in their own ways. The city of Taipei encourages the promotion of strengths of new cultural substances and religious beliefs, translating these new energies into a unique Taipei cultural vision. 204 T T a

a aiwan has congregated diverse cultural elements, where multiple ethnic i i p p

e groups coexist prosperously. Taipei City is arguably the capital where e T i i

Y these cultures most playfully and vigorously vie for attention and spotlight. A Y e e

a modernized Taipei City not only expresses local folk flavors, but is always a r r b

b ready to embrace new and diverse cultures. Modern Taipei's citizenry has o o o

o successfully passed on traditional customs and is inspired to be innovative in k k

its vision, calling for a creative blend of the new and the old. 2 2 0 0 0 0 8 8

Part1 Colorful and Vibrant Ceremonial Gatherings

Conventional farming society is characterized by the myriad of holidays, which have been brought over by immigrants from their ancestral homes to Taiwan. Although modern Taipei no longer organizes elaborate and formal ceremonies, we can still witness the fusion of both traditional and innovative practices that have been adapted to modern lifestyles through rituals and religious activities throughout the seasons, molding them to form a unique religious cultural blend in modern Taipei.

1. The Taipei Lantern Festival The Lantern Festival is a long-standing and well established Chinese holiday, and ever since the Taipei City Government began holding the first“Taipei Lantern Festival”in 1996, it has become one of the biggest and most representative activities in Taipei. In the“2008 Taipei Lantern Festival: Prosperity and Happiness－A New Dawn in Taipei,”the Taipei City Government combined multiple cultures and technologies and used the riverbanks as exhibition venues to improve Taipei's international visibility by hailing Taipei as “ ” “ a Healthy City. The festival's mascot, Lucky Dazzling laser show at the“2008 Taipei Lantern Festival.” Mouse,”was installed to connect the themes of various events and lantern areas, including the centerpiece,“The Mouse Wedding,”a“Good Tidings from the Silver Magpie”lantern section, a long lantern-dotted tunnel, a splendid and glorious international lantern section, a topical lantern to signify traditional festivities, a students' lantern section to showcase their creativity in passing on the legacy, and an“Auspicious Peony Mouse”lantern section in the Xinyi District, a riddle arena, the main performance stage, a folk art street and a prayer enclave to spice up the interests and diversity of the great soiree. The event attracted over 6 million visitors from February 15 through 24 in 2008.

2. Confucius Temple Ceremony and Cultural Activities (1) Vibrant Confucianism in the Springtime Taipei City held the first Spring Confucius Worship on March 8, 2008. With a view to“revitalize 205 Chapter 13 Religious Ceremonies i l i f - r s s y y s n d d e e t o e of o m of of Y rn o n s b n v o e u n g

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n n y 0 e a i o o o r n s 20, the and the baking guards, transcends age, ethnicity and country i ers, ushering in a new era of hope for the younger generation. students served as the ceremonial receiv a C P G C b f (2) The Dalongdong Cultural Fair s C Art cakes. 4 a education to all without distinction. Ka w f C a Af d b s w M Confucius way C W 206 T a i p e i

Y e a r b o o k

2 0 0 8

928 Confucius Worship at Taipei Confucius Temple.

highlight the cultural characteristics of Confucian rites, ancient ritual ceremonies were reenacted in full, including a performance of the Ba Yi Dance during the sacrificial offering of twelve ancient foods. Taipei City Mayor Hau Lung-bin was the chief presenter, Commissioner of the Department of Civil Affairs, Huang Lu Ching-ju was the officiator, while President Ma Ying-jeou paid his respects in person by burning incense and presenting a“Clear Path of Virtue and Moral”plaque. After the ceremony, Mayor Hau Lung-bin personally distributed wisdom cakes and“Confucianism Forever”keepsakes to attendees. On the day of the ceremony, the commission also arranged archery shooting-themed activities (archery shooting as one of the six arts) to give the public an opportunity to experience the essence of archery in ancient times and the spirit of modern archery. The 3-month“2008 Dalongdong Cultural Fair”was given new life with calligraphy and painting competitions, street parties that revolutionized people's impression of traditional Confucian temples, exploration tours into historic sites and nighttime parties that combined elements of the East and the West. Tradition was infused with a new breath of vigor. The combination of traditional arts and innovative activities not only brought vivacious and energetic dynamics to the Dalongdong Cultural Park, but also elicited enthusiastic responses from the public, creating a unique Confucian and local flavor not to be experienced anywhere else.

3. Aboriginal Cultural Exchange Festivities The“Light-i potal”2008 Taiwan Aboriginal Cultural Series Events took place on November 23 in the expansive and lush Fudekeng Recreational Park in Mucha, Taipei. Activities kicked off with the "traditional ceremony" of the Paiwan tribe, arranged by the Indigenous Peoples Commission, the Taipei City Government, followed by traditional sports contests and impassioned singing and dance performances, giving Taipei residents a taste of original aboriginal customs. 207 Chapter 13 Religious Ceremonies n e a d e e e e a i r k k n e h h On i the m t t u k k M d t

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- s b u e e e l a t i i i i n l a e b c o e v e n c o t e o e obacco o e r h a n F a m Y casting, the t p a aborigines residing far away from home in on and abroad. Y t cuisine i odaigian Ritual, and the Zou Blessing Dance. Amei Harvest Festival, the Bunong Malah f p 4. The T g a Min Starting T m F a c t Hualien, c T T a s f Paiwan e B C 208 T a i p various Hakka operas, fun contests and shows e i

featuring performing artists. The theme of the Y

e festival for 2008 was“Save more and save the a

r ”

b environment. On the second day, thousands of o people assembled and carried rice with carrying o

k poles to experience the heavy burden the Earth

0 carries today. Thousands of participants stood 0

8 on one leg for 21 seconds at 10:21am on that

day, showing the Hakka spirit of integrity, hard work and environmental awareness. Through a series of activities, the audience was given an opportunity to explore the religious veins of the traditional Hakka faith, so that Hakka culture can be sustained and passed on and at Thanking-the-Gods Play: Muguiying Taking Command. the same time is able to impart life and energy into the multifaceted Taipei City.

Part2 Dignified and Thanksgiving Religious Rites

Taiwan's temple festival culture has become a source of strength to immigrants in settling down in a new place; it is also the root for building metropolitan identity. Religious festivals are held in different seasons with added innovations, creating a one-of-a- kind religious culture in metro Taipei.

1. The Baosheng Cultural Festival To exalt traditional local folk customs and celebrate the birthday of Baosheng Dadi, the Department of Civil Affairs and the Baoan Temple of Dalongdong co-sponsor the annual“Baosheng Cultural Festival”that takes place in March of the lunar calendar. This two-month festival combines religious activities with folk arts, and has become one of the biggest, the most celebrated and leading traditional temple fairs. Starting on April 10 (March 5 of the lunar calendar), the show,“Folk Play: the Surname Show”was staged at the Baoan Temple Garden Square and ran for nearly a month, with famed theater troupes, famous Taiwanese folk opera societies, and school clubs gracing the occasion with performances. On the morning of April 19, folk cultural art activities, competitions and performances were held; folk cultural art groups from all over Taiwan constituted dozens of circuit teams, and

released the fire lion. The stomach of the fire lion Release of the fire lion at the Baosheng Cultural Festival. 209 Chapter 13 Religious Ceremonies t s s e h n d t h t i so e c i o o i

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i h o e e o a e f f e t e o h h h hey h h s u god's i h E o h t economic l for t g the d eminars, medical clinics of conducted religious s od Birthday Celebration 2. Xiahai City G was few days. following o ll you see is people and more people.” goes“On May 13, a T t c t p c s t F t p 210 T a i p

e 3. The Matsu Cultural Festival of i

Y Northern Taiwan e

a Since 2004, communities around Taipei began r b “

o holding the ceremony Welcoming Gold Face

o ”

k Matsu Back to Town. In 2006, the Department

2 of Civil Affairs took over as the host, and held 0

0 the“Matsu Cultural Festival of Northern Taiwan”in 8

August of the lunar calendar, which coincides with the traditional“Welcome to Gods as Our Guests”activities. On September 6, 2008, Taipei City Mayor Hau Lung-bin and county heads in Northern Taiwan jointly invited Matsu from the carriage, which officially launched the festival. On September 6 to 10, a series of activities were held at the 228 Peace Memorial Park. The“2008 Matsu Cultural Festival of Northern Taiwan”was an inter-county effort in promoting exchanges between religious temples, carrying forward folk arts, and allowing a broader range of people to come to understand the profound value Lianhua and Ciyan protecting all living creatures (photo by of traditional temple culture. The event has become Gao Hua-de). a grand religious occasion in Northern Taiwan, and 2008 happened to be the 120th anniversary of the Yi-Ge Taipei Gold Face Matsu Temple, in which the then governor Liu Ming-chuan was given the order by royal It is said that Yi-ge was introduced to decree of the Qing Emperor to worship Matsu, making Taiwan by ancestors from Xiamen and this event ever more auspicious. Quanzhou, Fujian Province. Formerly, Yi-ge's Funan Temple in Nangang was the Matsu were made of wooden platforms, decorated statue holder in the“2008 Matsu Cultural Festival of with cloth ornaments, where Yidan performers would sing and act out characters from classic poems or works of fiction. Accompanied by nanguan music, the Yidan would sit on the stage, which is sometimes carried by 4 to 8 strong men to parade around the streets. It won the hearts of many nanguan lovers and poets. Later on, Yi-ge was transformed into a kind of performance by devout religious followers who would appear in stunning costumes and play the characters on stage. Yi-ge, formerly carried by men, was later carried and hauled by ox carts, wood wheel carts, electric cars, and even large trucks and trailers. Nowadays, Yi-ge is adorned with more decorative paintings, coupled with high-tech sound and light effects, Thousand-Eye leading the way (photo by Zhou Ding-guo). so that it has evolved into nighttime floats. 211 Chapter 13 Religious Ceremonies , , is in in u n

h a l , t s s n a h e e 1 e d u e e o c is l a i h s t a r

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T g o s p e e

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i n e r a Matsu

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i t m e o p s

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mple n u s v ing, Cixian p h i a u g T t Ceremony H

g i h p g a t m d t c c N 8

N f i rfo u d i t

c t r r o n te l

f i e o a i a n 2 0 t r s c y e o f o t a emple o o e o r h n Gut Xinglong s c Zhongshan, a a a September their carriages. e T C special to T 4. Northern A f i 1 public af Keelung, e r t g K 2 p g protection t a w H s o f b 212 T a i p festive events as seating the gods and other ceremonial rituals. Hakka concerts, Three Mountain Kings e i

cultural exhibitions, Hakka cuisine were among the offerings, as well as songs that brought together Y

e Taiwanese, Hakka and new immigrants, showing the respect for diverse ethnicities and cultures. a r b

o 5. The Hakka Bag Gung Ceremony o

k Starting in 2004, the Taipei Hakka Affairs Commission began to celebrate the“Birth of Bag

2 ” 0 Gung on the second day of the second lunar calendar month at the Zhangqing Temple on Jinjiang 0

8 Street in conjunction with Hakka organizations and local residents to celebrate the Earth God's birthday.

In 2008, aside from the“Birth of Bag Gung”celebration ceremony, Hakka music performances, song performances by teenagers, Hakka folk dance, and Hakka cuisine were offered to the public. The series of events included performances by Taiwanese, Hakka and new immigrants, illustrating the cooperative and peaceful coexistence among various groups among the overall population.

Part3 Foreign Ceremonies and Rituals in Taipei

To encourage interaction and exchange, the Department of Civil Affairs organizes annual activities associated with new immigrants. Participants have become increasingly enthusiastic about taking part in these occasions, which have become an annual gala for new immigrants from everywhere.

1. Thailand's Songkran Festival To allay the homesickness o f T h a i l a b o r e r s a n d n e w immigrants, the Department of Civil Affairs and the Department of Labor kicked off“Thailand's Songkran Festival”on April 12, 2008 at the Ashanti Square of Shinkong Mitsukoshi in Xinyi district, and celebrated the Thai holiday with friends from Thailand, new immigrants, and Taipei citizens. On the day of the festival, the director of the Department of Labor Su Yin-kuei, and the deputy director of Department of Dance troupe from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Srinakharinwirot University in Thailand. Civil Affairs Chen Qi-yong donned traditional Thai costumes, and invited the dance troupe from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Srinakharinwirot University in Thailand to officiate over the orthodox throwing of water. The event also featured independent bands, including Blue Sky, plus a freestyle bazaar with great food and Southeast Asian handicrafts, prize-drawings and quiz sessions. The highlight at the end of the event was the“Songkran blessings.”in which participating citizens, foreign laborers and new immigrants congregated to wish each other a happy holiday by using the most universal and merry language of gesticulation, and welcoming the exotic benedictions in unison. 213 Chapter 13 Religious Ceremonies

l . f - i s 3 7 d 3 e e d n A w w w to o o r

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s , families at o ceremony T r t u e of c o n e n p s n

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n 1 a e 7, a g T c T r i s

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c u t n immigrant o n s i d i g i m s i a n graduation e e o n r

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I p u Art Show/Contest h l a h f n to m n

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as m d o h f g v u t i t were s 1,220 n i i e e f 1 l r

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c l e n r l a The Joint New Immigrant Graduation and Carnival new h i f Members of the m p r l a a m ” w i e m c fairs g a t e e e e r v e d a

o m m w M T t o courses families ic groups. cultures, promote cultural exchange and learn to respect the values of diverse ethn I w 3. 2. The New Immigrant Staf accept e P Af for i n m e a 214 T a i p To endow these new immigrants with the graduation atmosphere and spirit, the Department of Civil e i

Affairs also arranged tailor-made graduation gowns for them. The event also followed all the formalities Y

e of a typical graduation ceremony, including speeches made by graduate representatives on behalf of the a r

b graduating body. All of this served to encourage the general public and newly arrived families to support o new immigrants to devote themselves to education, so that the multi-cultural experience brought by the o

k new immigrants can generate new sparks within the existing Taiwanese culture.

0 The graduation ceremony was filled with Southeast-Asian-style performances, where new 0

8 immigrants pulled out all the stops on stage,

singing and dancing, fully presenting the fruitful outcomes of their learning. Handiworks made by the new immigrants for the courses they took were on display, including arts and crafts, workbooks and curriculum records. The ceremony drew to an end when the Commissioner of the Department of Civil Affairs, Huang Lu Ching-ju, sang together with the new immigrants“The Sky of Taipei.”The ceremony ended with graduates throwing their graduation caps into the air. The Taipei City Government compiled the touching stories and the works provided by the students, hoping to keep a memorable record for the new immigrants as well Exhibition area of works by new immigrants in the course. as for Taipei City to treasure in the future.

New immigrant graduates throwing their graduation caps as a symbol of graduation. 215 Chapter 13 Religious Ceremonies i , t t r s s y y s g e e y d g a o n l l e x t e e e a e n h g e n o

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A group picture of the newlyweds and distinguished guests. Parents placing the crown of intelligence on their children.

5. Joint Matrimonial Ceremonies To ameliorate social morals and promote economical wedding ceremonies, Taipei City introduced demonstrative nuptials by organizing“The Joint Matrimonial Ceremonies”in 1973 (formally known as communal marriages). The practice has been widely popular. Two Joint Matrimonial Ceremonies were held in 2008, one on April 27 themed“True Love in Taipei”and one on October 4 themed“Loving Taipei, Loving You.”At the ceremonies 243 couples were formally wedded. During the ceremony in April, a“Retrospective Show of Ceremonies over the Years”was held, at which wedding photos were displayed to share with the public the joyful memories of tying the knot in Taipei.

6. Joint Coming Of Age Ceremony The Department of Civil Affairs held the“2008 Taipei City Joint Coming of Age Ceremony”on November 23 (Sunday), with a theme of“Coming of Age-Passing on the Legacy,”at 2pm in the main gymnasium of the National Taiwan University Sports Center. On that day, a total of 600 young people went through the coming of age ceremonies, including passing through the door of intelligence, offering gifts to parents, drinking a glass of coming-of-age liquor, expressing gratitude to parents, as well as participating in the ceremony of the intelligence crown and passing down the legacy, after which they were considered to have entered adulthood, a new stage in life. The joint ceremony combined the themes of“cultural heritage”and“thanking parents”to create a coherent identity of the youth in Taipei, hoping that the rite of passage will encourage them to become the pillars of the country's future as they shoulder the mission to make Taiwan a better place. The ceremony started with participating youngsters passing through the door of intelligence that is decorated with onions symbolizing intelligence, and celery stalks symbolizing diligence, as well as with words of encouragement－“mental growth and self-affirmation,”and“responsible and thankful,”followed by a series of exciting martial arts performances by the Taipei Physical Education College, themed“Young Taipei, Young Dance,”that served to infuse new life into traditional martial arts. This was followed by ancient rituals, such as“thanking the ancestors,”“drinking coming-of- age liquor,”“ceremony of the crown of intelligence”and“passing down the heritage.”Parents of the participants took part in the“ceremony of the crown of intelligence”and“passing down the heritage.”The ceremony of the crown of intelligence and passing down the family heirlooms signify that members of the younger generation are now entrusted to assume social and family responsibilities; 217 Chapter 13 Religious Ceremonies t . k g h d a l n to t

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The 2008 Shilin International Cultural Fair.

Carnival”that re-spread the development of tea culture in Nangang District, the“2008 Taipei Hot Spring Festival”that was built on the theme of creating a healthy new lifestyle in Beitou District, the“2008 Shilin International Cultural Fair”that revolved around the diverse nationalities in Tianmu in Shilin District, the“2008 Wanhua Cultural Carnival—Jiarui and Mengjia Cultural Fair”that integrated tradition and modernity in Wanhua District, and the“Wufenpu Clothing Festival”that gathered businesses at Wufenpu in Xinyi District.

Conclusion Traditional agricultural communities have many holidays which are related to folk activities associated with farming, religious faiths and social entertainments around the year. Modern religious faiths and ceremonial cultures in Taipei City have helped to maintain traditional styles, have become more diverse with the infusion of customs brought in by immigrants, and continue to present a new look with fresh ideas and new conventions.