A unique group of 15 participants from all walks of life unites for a pilgrimage to serve the same boss, the Chinese sea Goddess Mazu.
Video script:
The Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage has attracted a unique group of participants - 15 individuals from various industries who have come together with the same purpose: to serve Mazu, the Chinese sea goddess.
Led by a fried food shop owner who has participated in the pilgrimage for several years, the group forged a special bond despite their diverse professional backgrounds, which include funeral services, real estate, and elder care.
Each member pushes a small cart marked with a number and the phrase "employee trip." These carts, covered with transparent plastic for weather protection, carry personal belongings and display ceremonial flags. The group's leader has united like-minded friends who share the belief that regardless of their occupations, they all serve the same boss - Mazu.
One participant, a tattoo artist who has joined the pilgrimage for 17 consecutive years, acknowledges the physical challenges but emphasizes the importance of perseverance. What began as a seven-cart procession last year has grown to 15, with participants either closing their businesses or taking time off work to complete the nine-day, eight-night journey. The group hopes to welcome more "Mazu employees" in future pilgrimages.
The pilgrimage has also become an educational opportunity, with nearly 400 students and teachers from Taichung Municipal Da-Jia Junior High School participating in a 12-kilometer walk as part of a cultural education program that has run for ten consecutive years. Students have expressed appreciation for experiencing the religious culture and local hospitality, with even graduates returning to partake in the meaningful tradition that deepens their understanding of folk beliefs.