Folk Festivals

Folk Festivals
Many traditional festivals in Taiwan correspond to the resting seasons of farming, providing relaxation to hardworking farmers. Although Taiwan has long since become a society of commerce and industry, folk festivals passed down through the generations are still an important part of modern life. In addition to being hardworking, the Chinese people are also very religious. Most people worship gods, fear spirits, and respect their ancestors; for this reason, some of the important characteristics of Chinese festivals and folk activities include prayers saying for blessings, warding off evil spirits, being in harmony with nature, and family reunions. The three most important festivals in a year are the Lunar New Year Festival, the Dragon Boat Festival, and the Mid-Autumn Festival. All three of these festivals are times for family reunion and are rich with colorful and lively folk activities which attract many people. Ą@Ą@Ą@Ą@Ą@Ą@

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**Folk Festivals**
No.F9. Photo by Ming-yuan Yeh	67KB The intersection of Jen-ai Road and Tun Hwa South Road in Taipei city during the Lantern Festival is a brilliant sight to behold.
No.F10. Photo by Tse-juang Tsuh	24KB Members of the Tsou tribe, which is renowned amongst Taiwan's nine tribes of indigenous peoples for their clear, loud singing voices. They sing and dance to express their thanks to Mother Earth during a festival held in her honor.
No.F11. Photo by Ming-yuan Yeh	78KB Aboriginal women from the Ami tribe pose with their traditional festival finery during the tribe's harvest festival.
No.F12. Photo by Larry Hsieh	84KB Mothers of the Rukai tribe in Pingtung assist their daughters in donning traditional clothes for the harvest festival.
No.F13. Photo by Larry Hsieh	77KB Colorfully dressed aboriginal women from the Bunun tribe of Nantou in central Taiwan pose in their festival finery.
No.F14. Photo by Tse-juang Tsuh	47KB Fishermen sailing in waters near the Pescadores pray to Matsu, Goddess of the Sea, for calm weather while working on the high seas.
No.F15. Photo by Ming-yuan Yeh	72KB Dragon boat racing is one of the most important folk activities held throughout the nation during the Dragon Boat Festival.
No.F16. Photo by Su-ching Chang	93KB Local deities are often paraded during folk festivities, praying for peace and prosperity for the country and happiness for the people. Depicted here are three incarnations of "Prince Nata," a deity common to both Buddhism and Taoism.
No.F17. Photo by Ming-yuan Yeh	59KB A view of the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall's public square on the night of the Lantern Festival reveals a crowded, luminous scene.