Century-old Folk Festival Charms Taiwanese and Foreigners Alike A costumed mascot dances in front of a temple in Changhua. Photo: Naomi Goddard
A unique Taiwanese experience and spectacular showcase of the island’s temple culture, the annual Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage brings together longtime adherents and, more recently, young Taiwanese interested in local customs. Besides the religious significance, the event is also a major contributor to the central Taiwan economy.
With its firecrackers, dancing troupes, and mascots costumed as various deities, the annual Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage is a striking spectacle that bears witness to Taiwan’s vibrant temple scene. Starting as a community event a century ago and evolving into a large festival that today draws more than a million followers, attendance at the pilgrimage has become what some consider to be one of three must-try experiences in Taiwan (the other two being touring the island by bicycle and conquering Mount Jade).