I am in Sigang.

我在西港

The incense-questing event in Sigang is a famous national tradition

西港刈香是非常知名的國定民俗

and it is also essential in terms of the religion.

也是重要的信仰活動

This year is really special

今年非常特別

because it is the temple festival year.

因為今年是香科年

Let's go and take a look.

我們一塊去瞧瞧吧

“Sigang's incense-questing event” refers to

「西港刈香」是指

an incense-questing pilgrimage held by Cing-an Temple, Sigang.

西港慶安宮的刈香遶境活動

This incense-questing custom originated

起源於1784年八份姑媽宮的

from Guma Temple in Bafen, Sigang,

香科繞境

and Cing-an Temple has been the organizer of the event

1823年第14科起

since it was held for the 14th time in 1823.

由慶安宮接辦

The incense-questing event is held once every three years.

每科為3年一次

Over time, it has expanded and included

逐次擴展

96 villages in its pilgrimage route,

香境含蓋九十六村鄉

making it “the largest incense-questing pilgrimage” in Taiwan.

成為「臺灣第一大香路」

Sigang's incense-questing event consists of two parts:

西港刈香主要內容分為

the incense-questing pilgrimage,

「刈香繞境」

and the offering ritual to the god.

及「王醮」兩部份

The pilgrimage includes a “South-bound Patrol”

刈香繞境可分為南下臺南一帶的

to southern Tainan,

「南巡」

a “Welcoming Mazu” ceremony to summon Mazu

前往鹿耳門天后宮

in Luermen Tianhou Temple,

的「請媽祖」

and a three-day pilgrimage around the jurisdiction of the deities.

和一連三天的轄域遶境

Many of the parades in the pilgrimage are organized

參與的陣頭中有許多是各村莊

by local residents.

自組的陣頭

“The offering ritual to the god” includes Taoism rituals,

「王醮」除了道士團的科儀

rituals from the House of the King (Wangye),

與王府行儀外

and most importantly, the King Boat Festival.

主軸是王船祭典

The last step of the festival features the burning of the king boat,

最後壓軸的燒王船

where local residents tow the king boat

則由各村村民合力齊拉

to the riverside of Zengwun River

到南海埔曾文溪畔

and send off Heavenly Patrol Yuchi (Wangye) to the heavenly palace.

舉行恭送代天巡狩千歲爺回天庭

It's a spectacular event.

場面非常盛大

The incense-questing event in Sigang has a 234-year old history

西港刈香至今有234年的歷史

and is an important national asset of folk culture.

為國家重要民俗文化資產

Generally, it takes an entire year in advance

整個香科簡單來說

to prepare for the incense-questing event.

在刈香的前一年就開始準備了

Firstly, coordination meetings are held to decide participants,

首先開協調會確認參與者

and then they're ready to make the king boat.

接下來就準備造王船的工作

We've been searching

我們從國曆三月

for the wood "tsan" needed to make the boat since March.

就開始找「(舟參)」

"Tsan" is the wood from a banyan tree.

「（舟參）」就是神榕榕樹

We send ship crafters to

我們會請造船師傅

see which tree

看哪一株

is suitable for making a boat.

是適合造船

In other words, "tsan" is the keel of a ship.

「（舟參）」就是船的龍骨

One year prior to incense-questing, on Wangye's birthday,

香科前一年千歲爺生日時

we inquire the deity where we should get "tsan." .

請示千歲爺要在哪裡取「（舟參）」

Once the ritual to seek the appropriate “tsan” is completed,

完成請「（舟參）」的儀式

we'll proceed to the production of the king boat

接下來就可以開始造王船

and preparation of Sigang's incense-questing event.

及籌備「西港香」的工作

Such preparations include erecting flag and lantern poles

如豎旗杆 燈篙

and constructing yamens.

造衙門等等

Today the Parade of Centipede Formation,

今天蜈蚣要來架棚

the Parade of the Eight Beauties,

八美圖

the Parade of Lioucuo Fangchelun,

劉厝紡車輪

and Parade of Horses from Wuhu Pingsi, Dawunliao

還有大塭寮五虎平西的馬陣

are here to set up their canopies.

也要來架棚

There are four parades in total.

有四陣

The Parade of the Eight Beauties from Putuo Temple, Hailiao,

海寮普陀寺的八美圖

is not a common parade.

是少見的陣頭

The parade features nine horse riders.

八美圖有九人分別騎著馬

The first eight riders are all beautiful ladies,

前面八位是美女

and the ninth female member plays the male role “Shuchun Liou.”

第九位是女扮男裝的柳樹春

Such an arrangement tells folks about the story of Shuchun Liou,

傳說宋朝文武狀元柳樹春

a famous figure in Song Dynasty

巧見八美圖

who wished to marry eight beautiful ladies

盼望著將八位美人納為妻妾

and in the end lived a happy ever after life.

後來和八美人從相識到完婚團圓的故事

One of the parades in setting up canopies is worth noticing:

架棚的另一個亮點

the Parade of Centipede Formation.

就是百足真人蜈蚣陣

We come from Wangan Temple in Gongwen and Ansi Temple in Sipuliao.

我們是公塭萬安宮和溪埔寮安溪宮

At first, we formed a centipede parade,

我們一起組成「蜈蚣陣」

and later on we're recognized as the Parade of Centipede Formation.

後來我們被受封為「百足真人陣」

During the incense-questing event held by Cing-an Temple, Sigang,

我們在西港慶安宮的香科裡

we're responsible for patroling and maintaining order for Wangye.

負責替千歲爺查巡 掃蕩

We're the vanguard of Wangye.

來做千歲爺的開路先鋒部隊

The parade is 138 meters in length

全長138公尺

and is composed of 70 children.

神童有70位

As the parade proceeds, the children throw out candies to pilgrims.

行進中神童會丟糖果

Pilgrims rush to collect candies

信眾會爭相撿拾糖果食用

and consider them as a symbol of blessing.

意味可以平安

One thing special about the Parade of Centipede Formation is that the roles in the parade

「百足真人陣」的特色是

are passed to descendants within the same families.

世襲制

After a family decided the character they want to play,

裝扮的角色由參與的家族自行決定

such as Tan Taizhong,

例如扮唐太宗

the role of Tan Taizhong is then passed down

這家傳承下去的角色

to descendants within the same family.

就是唐太宗

Even if the family decides not to play the role anymore,

如果這家不想扮

the role cannot be transferred or given to other families.

也不能讓給其他人

The family may choose to return the role to the temple,

這個角色先交由宮廟來處理

but they may also reclaim it whenever they want to.

想扮時隨時可以拿回去

As the parade grows larger,

後來有越來越多人想要裝扮

new roles are needed and the members

就必須請示神明

will ask for the deity's permission.

來新設一個位置

So far we have 70 members in the parade.

我們現在發展有70位

The parade grows on the foundation laid by our ancestors.

那我們的隊伍是以祖先留下來的

It only gets larger, not smaller.

只會增加不會減少

It expands

就像人家說得越裝越大尾

and never shrinks.

不會減少

It's believed that crossing a centipede parade

傳說「鑽蜈蚣陣」

may help get rid of back luck,

可以消災解厄

and therefore lots of pilgrims rush to cross the parade.

因此許多信眾都會搶著鑽蜈蚣陣

Such a behavior is actually quite dangerous.

其實是非常危險的

To protect the pilgrims,

蜈蚣陣為了維護信眾的安全

we'll arrange time for pilgrims to cross the parade.

會開放時間給信眾「鑽蜈蚣陣」

Do not cross the parade in any other time period!

沒有開放的時候千萬不要亂鑽喔

After the canopies are set up,

架棚儀式完成後

we're ready for the summoning ceremony.

接下來是請王儀式

We will set off at six o'clock in the evening

我們晚上六點會準時出發

to the burning place of the king boat to summon Wangye.

到王船地做請王的儀式

In the afternoon, you'll see lots of parades

下午在慶安宮就會看到許多陣頭

in Cing-an Temple.

聚集在慶安宮

Each parade has its own symbol.

每個陣頭代表的意義都不太一樣喔

Parades are technically

我們的陣頭

the vanguards of Wangye.

算是二部先鋒

Staying in front of the Wangye's palanquin

是在千歲爺的神轎前面

to protect him.

來保護祂

We are the guards of Wangye.

我們算是千歲爺的護衛

The duty of the Parade of the Eight Generals

八家將的職務

is to escort deities as they patrol

在於主神出巡時

as well as capture devils

協助緝拿妖魔

and ghosts.

捕捉鬼怪

The generals' dress and makeup

家將的裝扮特色

focuses on facial makeup, religious instruments, and costumes.

主要在於臉譜 刑具(法器) 衣著

Before the parade sets off, makeup artists (mianshi)

出陣前會有「面師」

will help put on makeup (kailian).

來「開臉」

After the people playing the roles of the generals

家將經「開臉」

are completely dressed and finished putting on makeup,

著裝完畢後

they represent the deities they play.

即代表所扮演的神祇

They are the deities they play.

具有神格

At 6 PM, parades, the palanquin bearers, and pilgrims

晚上六點陣頭 轎班 信徒

set off on foot to the burning place of the king boat

一起步行到王船地

to prepare for the summoning ceremony.

準備請王儀式

To summon Wangye, we need to acquire three affirmatives from him

請王必須連續擲出

by tossing divination blocks.

三個聖筊

Royal Lord (Wangye),

啟稟千歲爺

it is time.

良時已到

May Heavenly Patrol Yuchih grant us

要來請示玉敕代天巡狩的聖筊

three consecutive divine affirmations through the divination blocks.

請連應三個聖筊

Thus, we may return to Cing-an Temple ahead of schedule.

可以提早回到我們慶安宮

Please grant us a divine affirmation.

請賜金杯

One divine affirmation.

聖筊一個

After receiving three divine affirmations,

擲出三個聖筊

the summoning ceremony is complete.

順利完成請王儀式

Everyone is jubilant,

大家歡天喜地

and the parades are dancing.

陣頭紛紛舞動

All are cheerful to welcome Wanyge back to Cing-an Temple.

開心地迎接王爺回慶安宮

You can see parades and thrilled folks along the street.

滿街都是陣頭和參與的熱情民眾

Many foreigners also participated in the entire event!

也有許多外國朋友全程參與喔

The event is a great chance to see the four parades of Songjiang:

西港刈香是鮮少可以同時看到宋江四陣

the Parade of Songjiang, Golden Lion, White Crane, and the Five Tigers.

宋江陣 金獅陣 白鶴陣 五虎平西陣

The complete parade performance can be seen

陣頭表演最完整是在

during the setting up of canopies.

開館的時候

In comparison, these parades may not give performances

遶境時武陣

during the pilgrimage.

不一定會表演

Parades in Sigang's incense-questing event

參與西港刈香的武陣

have ankle bandanas in five different colors:

總共有五種腳巾

yellow, red, blue, green, and light green.

分別為黃腳巾 紅腳巾 藍腳巾 綠腳巾 淺綠腳巾

You can tell the teacher of the parades

透過腳巾的顏色可以判斷

from the color of their ankle bandanas.

陣頭師承哪位教練

For example, the Parade of Golden Lion from Zhuzaigang

比如說我們跟竹仔港

and Madouliao and us

麻豆寮金獅陣

all wear green ankle bandanas.

都是綠腳巾

In addition, the Songjiang parade from Bafen wears green ones as well.

還有八份宋江陣 有三陣綠腳巾

So you can tell we are all from the same origin.

我們就是師出同門

We're taught by the same teacher.

同一位師傅來教我們

The biggest difference between the four parades of Songjiang

宋江四陣的區別在於

lies in their parade leaders.

帶頭的不一樣

The Parade of Sonjiang is led by the main flag and two-handed axes,

宋江陣是頭旗和雙斧來帶陣頭

the Parade of Golden Lion by golden lions,

金獅陣就是由金獅來帶陣頭

and the Parade of White Cranes by white cranes of course!

白鶴陣當然就是白鶴囉

The Parade of White Cranes from Shuzaijiao, Cigu

七股樹仔腳白鶴陣

was established in 1928.

成立於1928年民國17年

The parade was founded

當時成立的目的

decided to participate in Sigang's incense-questing event

為了要參加西港香科

and safeguard the palanquin of the Wangye of Kang's Clan.

保護康府千歲神轎

Therefore the white crane parade was founded.

所成立的白鶴陣

What is special about the white crane parade is

白鶴陣的特色

its leaders: the White Crane Master and the White Crane Lad.

為領陣的「白鶴仙師」及「白鶴童子」

The person playing the role of the White Crane Master

扮演白鶴仙師者

has to wear a white crane costume

必須穿戴白鶴裝

and act like a white crane when he's walking and running.

行走跑跳則是模仿白鶴的姿態

The person wearing a kid's mask plays the role of the White Crane Lad,

頭戴童子面具扮演白鶴童子者

who leads the white crane parade to dance.

引導白鶴跳舞

The design and interactive choreography of the white crane parade

白鶴的造型及互動的舞姿

is very interesting.

非常有趣

In addition, originating from the Songjiang Parade,

白鶴陣也有宋江陣的基礎

the white crane parade also demonstrates various parade formations.

也可以看到各種陣式的變化

To pass down the tradition of the white crane parade,

白鶴陣為了要傳承下去

it holds workshops at Shulin Elementary School

也在樹林國小帶領學生

to help students understand the parade better.

參與白鶴陣的研習活動

Sigang's incense-questing event

西港刈香

is an important folk activity in Taiwan.

是國家重要民俗

The event takes place once every three years

三年一科的香醮祭典

and attracts people in Taiwan and from abroad.

吸引許多國內外的朋友來共襄盛舉

People who enjoy photo shooting come here to take nice photos;

有喜歡攝影的朋友前往拍攝紀錄

people who are fond of crowded places

有喜歡看熱鬧

and activities come here with friends;

的朋友一起參與

and people who are devout to their religions come here to pay tribute.

也有對信仰非常虔誠的信眾們聚在這裡

We all find a purpose to be involved in this event.

對每個人而言各有不同的意義

Say, when I was in elementary school,

像我國小的時候

if you asked me,

什麼叫西港刈香

what Sigang's incense-questing event was,

你如果問我

I'd say it's a time when all of my relatives got home for reunion

就是親戚們都回來團聚

and when I had endless food to eat.

然後那幾天都有好吃的東西

This was my Sigang's incense-questing event at that time.

這就是西港刈香

But when I got into junior high school,

當你讀到國中的時候

things changed.

定義又不一樣了

Whenever the event was held,

那時遇到西港刈香

the school I studied would take three days off,

西港國中就放三天假

and my teacher had no choice but to let us leave.

學校老師也沒辦法

To local residents in Sigang, although the incense-questing event

西港人來看西港刈香

has different meanings to individuals of different ages,

不同年齡層看到的角度各不相同

one thing remains in common:

但是相同的是

the event is an essential part of their lives.

西港刈香已經是生活的一部分

We took a photo of an elder

我們文宣組有拍到一位長者

who worked in the farm.

在田裡工作

When he saw the parade where Wwangye's palanquin was in,

看到我們王轎

he put down his hoe

他放下鋤頭

and kneeled down in the field, far far away.

跪在田裡 遠遠地跪在田中央

The photo, in our opinion, is comparable with Millet's L'Angélus.

這張圖拍起來可以媲美米勒那張教堂的鐘聲「晚禱」

The grand finale activity in Sigang's incense event

西港刈香的壓軸就是

is to send off the king boat and burn it.

「送王」儀式燒王船

The pilgrims tow the king boat by pulling on the ropes

由信眾合力拉繩索將王船

and move it to the venue.

拖行至王船地

Relevant officers will scatter candies

沿途主事人員會丟灑糖果

and golden paper money for gods.

和金紙

Pilgrims rush to catch as many as they can

信眾會爭相接取

seeking the blessings.

祈求平安

At the venue, you'll see piles and piles of tributes.

在王船地可以看到添載品堆成一座小丘

Often times the king boat has to be carried

必須出動吊車將王船

to the center of the tribute piles by a crane.

吊至添載品中央

When the masts are erected

將船桅豎起

and the sails are set,

風帆拉起

raging flames start to burn,