Letter From Chiayi

Devout gather despite pandemic for Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage in Taiwan

SPH Brightcove Video
Once named by Discovery as the world’s top 3 religious festivals, Taiwan’s Dajia Mazu holy pilgrimage is set to be held as usual as Covid-19 numbers are back in single digits again in Taiwan.
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CHIAYI - I barely made it a few metres down a packed, noisy street in Xingang township when half a dozen hands stuck out from roadside tents, offering me bananas, bread, sticky rice dumplings and ice dessert. "Eat up, you'll need the energy!" an auntie said, pressing a steamed bun at me. Just like in a marathon, but also nothing like a marathon.

The revered sea goddess Mazu was on her annual pilgrimage in southern Taiwan, and the treats were for anyone who was a part of the nine-day sojourn - whether walking with the litter bearing Mazu's statue, performing, or just waiting to catch a glimpse of her as her procession passed by.

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