Penghu’s Ancient Parasol Culture Lives On as Woman and Children Take on Role

With between two and three hundred temples of all sizes island-wide, and holding regular monthly temple fairs, Penghu’s temple culture is flourishing.  These temple fairs have one particularly interesting role: the parasol bearer, who partly due to the shear weight and partly to tradition has always been an adult male.  However following the gradual demise of Penghu’s population, there is no one waiting in the wings to take over and continue this important role.  Fortunately, as a result of a recent initiative by Penghu’s county government, an ever-increasing number of people are stepping forward to take up this major temple role of parasol bearer.  Amongst the most eye catching of those taking part were the children from Anliang Temple in Longmen village and the women parasol bearers trained by the Cultural Affairs Department, bringing new life into Punghu’s temple culture, and carrying on this wonderful tradition for posterity.

Penghu’s Ancient Parasol Culture Lives On as Woman and Children Take on Role （by CJ Penghu’s Voice)
URL: http://www.peopo.org/news/57044

(以下為中文對照)

澎湖涼傘文化傳承有成 女性、孩子出線扮演 ( by 公民記者澎湖代 )
URL: http://www.peopo.org/news/57044

照片

澎湖廟宇文化興盛，大大小小廟宇兩、三百間，幾乎每個月都有廟會活動。廟會活動中有一個重要角色：涼傘手，由於涼傘本身重量不輕再加上傳統習俗影響，一般都是由成年男子擔任。但隨著澎湖人口漸漸地減少，老一輩的涼傘手後繼無人，近年在澎湖縣政府文化局協助下，越來越多新一代的涼傘手擔任重要的廟會角色，其中又以龍門安良廟的小朋友與文化局培訓的女性涼傘手最引人注目，讓澎湖廟宇文化與涼傘有了新生命，得以繼續傳承。