A traditional Taiwanese festival featuring the firecracker bombing of a shirtless man acting as the deity Han Dan will be held from Feb. 17 to Feb. 18, according to the Taitung County government in eastern Taiwan.
“The meaning of the annual festival is to welcome Han Dan—the God of Wealth—and drive away bad spirits,” an unnamed county government official said Feb. 16. “One of the greatest features of this year’s event is that tourists will have the opportunity of being bombers.”
“A training session will be held Feb. 18, with professional bombers from the county’s Xuanwu Temple teaching visitors how to throw the firecrackers properly,” the official said, adding that the temple is where people worship the deity.
Staff at the temple will also introduce tourists to the history of Han Dan, the origins of the bombing ritual and how to tie a turban on the shirtless man’s head.
“The Cabinet-level Council for Cultural Affairs has subsidized the Xuanwu Temple NT$1.5 million (US$51,724) to promote the event as part of the country’s centenary celebrations,” the official said. “In addition to the training session and the formal bombing ritual, folklore performances will be staged.”
The “Bombing of Han Dan” is said to have originated in the Qing dynasty. A man, in a red turban and shorts and with his face covered, stands on a palanquin carried by four bearers. As he holds a short banyan branch with leaves, he is bombarded with firecrackers. (HZW)
Write to Grace Kuo at morningk@mail.gio.gov.tw