Folk dancers in vibrant costumes competed for cash prizes at a Taichung temple last weekend, putting on a show for the goddess Mazu.
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Taichung’s Dajia Jenn Lann Temple hosted a lively folk dance competition on Sunday night, with 14 local dance teams showcasing their talents and vying for the NT30,000 (US$910) top prize.
The contest was open to those aged 40 and above and attracted many retirees eager to stay active and youthful. Teams spent months getting ready for the event. One team member says she prepared for more than half a year, practicing twice a week, just to participate in the competition. Another said everyone was thrilled to perform for Mazu, the revered sea goddess.
The performers dazzled in eye-catching costumes. Last year’s champions, a multicultural team of Taiwanese, Chinese, and Southeast Asian immigrants, returned in green outfits adorned with pink floral accents. One dance troupe leader, Ms. Hong, says that everyone pitched in their own money to buy the costumes for the show, hoping to use the prize money to reimburse it later.
Despite the chilly weather, spectators came out in droves to enjoy the festivities, cheering on their favorite teams. As one of many cultural events leading up to next month’s Dajia Mazu pilgrimage, the folk dance contest set the stage for a season of vibrant celebrations and community spirit.