Event Details - Cultural Experience - CHIO-TIAN FOLK DRUMS & ARTS TROUPE 九天民俗技藝團官網

Event Info Event Details Flow of the Experience Past Events Sign-up Info Future Prospects

Chio-Tian’s 20-year veteran instructor guides the tour and tells the story of how the Chio-Tian Folk Drums & Arts Troupe rose from a local parade team to international fame.

Story of Din Tao

A look into Chio-Tian’s origin as well as the spirit and historical context of local temple fair parades through the trailer of the film Din Tao: Leader of the Parade.

A Cultural Silk Road of the Parade

A look into the tough road of promoting the temple fair parade through two documentaries, The Flush of Dawn and Chio-Tian Cup Tour de Taiwan Ultramarathon.

Onward to New York

The story of Chio-Tian’s invited performance at the Lincoln Center, New York in 2012 that brought Taiwan’s local parades to the international art scene.

Finding Your Taiwanese Talisman in Chio-Tian

Just like Japanese omamori, love locks and Christmas prayers, you can pray to Jiutian Xuannü, the Goddess of the Nine Heavens and also the namesake of Chio-Tian, using a written spiritual petition called shu wen. This is one of the ways to commune with deities in Taiwanese folk religion. In this experience, a professional instructor will explain the format of shu wen and let participants write one as well as go though the ritual, so that we all “keep in touch” with the Goddess and relieve ourselves of life’s burdens.

The Petition-burning Ritual

After the Chio-Tian Storytelling Tour, each participant will get a shu wen to write their wish on, which will then be laid on the offering table to receive the blessing of Jiutian Xuannü, the goddess of our temple. Once all of the experience activities are complete, the participants will head to the main hall to burn the shu wen so that the wishes may rise with the smoke to heaven, where it is believed that child god Baihe tongzi (White Crane Boy) will deliver the shu wen to the gods.

Step1

Writing the Shu Wen

Step2

Offering the Shu Wen

Step3

Praying to Heaven

Step4

Burning the Shu Wen to Commune with Gods

Simple war drum experience is provided by default, but we can also hold creative sessions and exchanges with organizational participants who are already experienced in music and drumming.

Introduction to the Parade War Drums

Professional performers of the Chio-Tian Folk Drums & Arts Troupe introduce the distinctive “Chio-Tian Flat War Drums” that separate Chio-Tian from other parade teams with the signature dragon heads and decorative patterns.

【War Drum Experience】Basic Rhythm - for beginners and rookies：★～ ★ ★

A two-bar excerpt from the actual basic rhythm drills that Chio-Tian’s members practice everyday. Our professional instructor will explain how to hold the drumsticks, read the music and understand the beat pattern, so that everyone gets a taste of how Chio-Tian’s performing team hone their essential techniques. 。 ※「Creative Exchanges」for intermediates and experts (optional)：★ ★ ★ ～ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ In addition to the simple war drum experience, we can also hold creative sessions and exchanges with organizational participants who are already experienced in music and drumming.

Promotes understanding to the aesthetics of Taiwan’s traditional culture.

The Aesthetics of Kuan-tsiòng Siú Makeups

Our veteran instructor conducts actual painting of a Kuan-tsiòng Siú facial makeup. The participants get to see the majestic designs up close and also take part in an interactive experience that help understand the aesthetics of Taiwan’s traditional culture.

Wake up the Picasso in you,

Create your own facial makeup.

No matter where you’re from and what you believe,

Let your imagination run free without any taboo.

Discover the secret of face painting,

Boost your knowledge of Taiwanese culture.

Procedure

Step1

Introduction to the makeups and tools

Template masks, paint brushes, paints and removers will be provided.

Step2

Instructor demonstration

The instructor invites a participant as the model and demonstrates how to paint the face.

Step3

Participant practice

Participants form groups of two and do a half-face makeup so that the difference can be easily observed. The makeup will be removed after the whole experience course is over.

The Overseas Community Affairs Council has a Nezha deity-puppet in every overseas office. They grace the stage on behalf of Taiwan whenever there is an international event or festival!

Knowledge Time: The Super Kid Walks the World

The Overseas Community Affairs Council has a Nezha deity-puppet in every overseas office. They grace the stage on behalf of Taiwan whenever there is an international event or festival!

3+2+1 Deity-Puppet Workshop

Coming in big and small sizes, deity-puppets are a vital mood-making element in temple fairs dedicated to the gods. In this activity, a select lineup of 3Nezha puppets, 2 Child-god puppets and 1 Tudigong (Lord of the Soil and the Ground) puppet that are used in Chio-Tian’s actual parades will be displayed, with explanations about their origins and how to dance while wearing them.

Dance with Techno Prince Nezha

The participants will learn the Techno Prince Nezha’s dance and can choose to wear them and perform as groups at the end of the course. This is a rare chance to touch and actually use the deity-puppets rather than just watching them from afar.