The Divine Performance Parade Competition: The Ah-Gou Mazu Cup Kicks Off in Pingtung
Last updated 2026-09-24 — Organized by Pingtung County Government and the Ci-Feng Temple of the Holy Emperor Temple Foundation in Pingtung City, the Ah-Gou Mazu Cup National Youth Eight Generals and Official Generals Competition will be held from November 23 to 25, attracting over 30 teams from across Taiwan...
Written/Compiled and Reported by Li Xinyi, MOOK Travel Life Network
The Ah-Gou Mazu Cup National Youth Eight Generals and Official Generals Competition, organized by Pingtung County Government and the Ci-Feng Temple of the Holy Emperor Temple Foundation in Pingtung City, will take place from November 23 to 25. With over 30 teams from around Taiwan signing up, the three-day event will not only feature intense parade competitions but also include specially curated market areas that combine cultural creativity, food, and local agricultural specialties. This enriches the traditional folk activity with more diverse elements and helps boost local tourism.
The Eight Generals and Official Generals are unique aspects of Taiwan’s temple-front culture. Their members, clad in awe-inspiring attire, perform at temple festivals, undertaking roles such as chanting, drumming, and dancing. Their colorful costumes, striking face paint, dynamic movements, and traditional music create a powerful atmosphere. Most participants are youths, and their energetic performances often draw large crowds.
The Ah-Gou Mazu Cup National Youth Eight Generals and Official Generals Competition will take place this weekend in Pingtung. (Photo provided by Pingtung County Government)
With a history of 350 years, Ci-Feng Temple in Pingtung City has organized the Ah-Gou Mazu Cup National Youth Eight Generals and Official Generals Competition since 2003 to guide the development of parade culture in a positive direction. It provides a stage for youths to showcase their talents while adding an artistic dimension through competitive formats.
This year marks the 9th edition of the Eight Generals Competition, and the organizers have expanded it into a three-day event. Currently, over 34 teams have registered, surpassing previous years. Chen Zhenfu, the General Secretary of Ci-Feng Temple, mentioned that this year’s event is being held earlier than usual. Some international photographers had previously noted that the December 24–25 dates clashed with Christmas, preventing their attendance. Therefore, the event has been moved up, and multilingual introductions in Chinese, English, and Japanese have been added. Next year, a Korean version will also be introduced to cater to international visitors.
The three-day competition also features creative culture, food, and local specialty market zones, inviting visitors to join in the festivities. (Photo provided by Pingtung County Government)
This year’s event will kick off on the evening of November 23 at 7 PM with the “Youth, It’s Time to Shine!” opening night at Ci-Feng Temple. Performers including the Takao Rambling Band, Yen Yongneng, the Flame Dance Troupe, and the Guanli Dance Troupe will deliver innovative shows using sound and light technology. Unlike previous years, this three-day event will also include creative culture, food, and local specialty market areas. Ci-Feng Temple has specially designed divine-themed merchandise this year, ranging from Q-version general magnets and mugs to edgy or hip-hop style trendy T-shirts and eco-friendly shopping bags. Additionally, the organizers have set up a “Generals Cultural Relics Area” at Tangrong Elementary School, featuring exhibits on the history of the Eight Generals, live face-painting demonstrations by mask artists, and 1,000 free Q-version general DIY face masks and tattoo stickers (while supplies last). Visitors who apply the tattoo stickers on-site and upload photos to the “Ci-Feng Temple Ah-Gou Mazu Cup” Facebook fan page will receive a souvenir. This year, Ci-Feng Temple is also hosting its first Ah-Gou Mazu Cup photography competition. For details, please visit the Ci-Feng Temple official website: www.323pt.org.tw.
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