Exciting folk performance troupes: the Songjiang Troupe in Neimen, Kaohsiung!
Last updated 2026-09-26 — In early Taiwanese religious festivals, performance troupes were an important folk custom for honoring deities, and the Songjiang Troupe is one of the performance arts seen at temple festivals in Taiwan. It carries the meaning of “maintaining internal security and defending against external threats.” Over time, it has evolved into a practice of practicing martial arts for fitness during agricultural off-seasons...
In early Taiwanese religious festivals, performance troupes were an important folk custom for honoring deities, and the Songjiang Troupe is one of the performance arts seen at temple festivals in Taiwan. It carries the meaning of “maintaining internal security and defending against external threats.” Today, it serves as a way to practice martial arts for fitness during idle farming months, protect the community, guard deities during processions, ward off evil and ensure safety, unite local communities, and showcase martial prowess. The 2011 Kaohsiung Neimen Songjiang Troupe Festival will be held from March 12 to March 19, featuring spectacular Songjiang Troupe performances and a variety of folk art troupe shows.
This year’s Songjiang Troupe competition will take place at the Nanshan Zhuzhu Temple in Neimen. (Photo courtesy of Nanshan Zhuzhu Temple, Neimen)
Performance troupes refer to folk groups that incorporate skill-based performances, mostly found in southern Taiwan, and are divided into “civil troupes” and “martial troupes.” Civil troupes include the Cart Drum Troupe, Ox Plow Troupe, Seven-Mile Sound Troupe, and Transition Troupe, while martial troupes include Lion Troupe, Dragon Troupe, Songjiang Troupe, and the Eight Generals. Neimen Township has the highest density of performance troupes in the nation, with a vibrant array of both civil and martial troupes, reflecting the remarkable inclusiveness and creativity of traditional folk culture.
2011 Kaohsiung Neimen Songjiang Troupe. (Photo courtesy of Kaohsiung City Government)
The event includes Songjiang Troupe and folk art troupe performances, clay doll tossing competitions, lectures on the history and formations of the Songjiang legend, blessings from Guanyin, and more, along with
a national creative Songjiang Troupe competition for university students, allowing young people to experience authentic “Taiwan Kung Fu” in innovative ways and giving the public a taste of the local charm of these performance troupes.
2011 Kaohsiung Neimen Songjiang Troupe: http://www.who-ha.com.tw/index.html
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