The Kinmen Centipede Sedan Chair Is a Huge Hit—Expanded with the "May You Have Countless Descendants" Centipede Procession

Written/Compiled and Reported by Chen Guanxin, MOOK Travel Life Network

The Kinmen Makeup People Centipede Sedan Chair, which has been certified by the Guinness World Records, has always been a popular event during the Gux Island Religious and Cultural Tourism Festival. This year, in addition to the centipede sedan chair, activities such as the "May You Have Countless Descendants" Centipede Procession and the "Fairy Scattering Flowers" performance have been added. These will be held on April 28–29 in front of the General’s Office Square in Kincheng Township. Free registration for the public is now open until April 26, or until capacity is reached. Participants will receive a certificate after the event.

The centipede sedan chair tradition originated in the Fujian region and was brought to Taiwan by Hoklo people crossing the sea. It is now popular in southwestern coastal towns in Taiwan and often appears in folk god-welcoming parade events, symbolizing the dispelling of evil, disaster relief, and the invocation of peace. Although called a centipede sedan chair, the one in Kinmen adopts a dragon dance design to seek the auspicious symbolism of a dragon bringing good fortune. Additionally, the Kinmen Centipede Sedan Chair set a Guinness World Record in 2011 (last year) for being the "World’s Longest Purely Man-Powered Shoulder-Carried Centipede Sedan Chair," featuring 200 costumed children, a total length of 176 meters, and nearly 1,500 accompanying parents and staff.

For this expanded "May You Have Countless Descendants" Centipede Procession, there is a daily limit of 36 child participants. Children must be at least kindergarten age, between 100–130 cm tall, and weigh under 30 kg. Each child must be accompanied by two volunteer bearers upon registration, and parents or relatives must stay with them throughout. The Fairy Scattering Flowers procession will feature two groups per day: one “Seven Fairies Meet the Cowherd—Period Costume Version” and one “Seven Fairies Meet the Cowherd—Modern Costume Version,” each with seven girls and one boy. Participants must be elementary school students; those signing up for the modern version must provide their own costumes. Registration hotline: 082-321547.

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