Text by MOOK Travel Life Network, Li Xinyi, compiled and reported
Organized by Pingtung County Government and the Ci-Feng Temple of the Holy Emperor Temple Foundation in Pingtung City, the Ah-Giao Mazu Cup National Youth Ba-Jia-Jiang and Guan-Jiang-Shou Competition will take place from November 23 to 25. With over 30 teams from around Taiwan registering, the three-day event will feature not only intense parade competitions but also special market areas integrating cultural creativity, food, and local agricultural products. This adds richer elements to the traditional folk activity and helps boost local tourism.
Ba-Jia-Jiang and Guan-Jiang-Shou are unique temple-front cultures in Taiwan. Members, majestic and striking in their colorful attire, perform ceremonial duties during temple festivals, undertaking tasks such as guarding, leading, and patrolling. Their elaborate costumes, vibrant face paint, powerful movements, and traditional music create an awe-inspiring atmosphere. Most participants are teenagers, and because of their youthful energy, the performances sometimes stir up loud enthusiasm, occasionally causing complaints from nearby residents.
The Ah-Giao Mazu Cup National Youth Ba-Jia-Jiang and Guan-Jiang-Shou Competition will take place this weekend in Pingtung. (Photo provided by Pingtung County Government)
With a history of 350 years, Pingtung City’s Ci-Feng Temple has organized the Ah-Giao Mazu Cup National Youth Ba-Jia-Jiang and Guan-Jiang-Shou Competition since 2003 (the 92nd year of the Republic of China) to guide the development of parade culture in a positive direction. It provides a stage for youths to express themselves while adding an artistic dimension through competitive formats.
This year marks the 9th edition of the Ba-Jia-Jiang Competition. The organizers have expanded the event into a three-day festival, with over 34 teams registered—more than in previous years. Chen Zhenfu, the general manager of Ci-Feng Temple, said that this year's event is being held earlier than usual. Some international photographers had noted that the previous dates around December 24 and 25 clashed with Christmas, preventing them from attending. Therefore, this year the event was moved up, and multilingual introductions in Chinese, English, and Japanese have been added. Next year, a Korean version will also be prepared to cater to international visitors.
The three-day competition will also feature a creative culture, food, and local produce market area, inviting visitors to join in the celebration. (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. Performances by the Takao Wild Song Troupe, Yan Yongneng, Flame Dance Troupe, and Guanli Dance Troupe will feature innovative acts enhanced by lighting and sound technology. Unlike previous years, the three-day event will also include a creative culture, food, and local specialties market area. This year, Ci-Feng Temple has specially designed “Parade Deity” creative merchandise, ranging from Q-version deity magnets and mugs to edgy or hip-hop style fashion T-shirts and eco-friendly shopping bags. Additionally, the organizers have set up a “Deity Cultural Relics Zone” at Tangrong Elementary School, showcasing the history of Ba-Jia-Jiang, live face-painting demonstrations by mask artists, and offering 1,000 free Q-version deity DIY face masks and temporary tattoos (while supplies last). Visitors can take photos with the tattoos and upload them to the “Ci-Feng Temple Ah-Giao Mazu Cup” Facebook fan page to receive a souvenir. This year, Ci-Feng Temple is also holding its first Ah-Giao Mazu Cup photography contest. For more details, please visit the Ci-Feng Temple official website: www.323pt.org.tw.
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