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The Transforming Jiao

Among the commonly-seen religious rituals held by villages in Hong Kong, Tai Ping Qing Jiao is of the largest scale. However, there is an even more high-profile Taoist jiao festival, the Taishang Golden Register Ritual and Great Ritual Offerings to the All-Embracing Heaven (also known as Lo Tin Tai Chiu), which invites 1200 deities to come down to earth from the heaven. Lo Tin Tai Chiu seeks to pray for the well-being of the whole world. The emperors officiated in the sacrificial rites in ancient times. The manpower and material resources used were definitely not affordable for the commoners. Therefore, there has never been a time schedule for the jiao festival to be held. Yet, in only a decade, the festival has already been organised twice in Hong Kong in 2007 and 2017 respectively. Nga Tsin Wai Village in Kowloon City is the only walled village left in the urban core, which has a history of more than 700 years. Yet, the lands in the village have all been acquired, and the villagers have moved out for a long time. Thus, it is only a matter of time before the demolition of the village. Nevertheless, the old villagers who have left the village gathered again at the end of 2016 in order to organise Tai Ping Qing Jiao once more. Starting from 2006, the Jiao Festival co-organised by Shek O Village, Tai Long Wan Village, and Hok Tsui Village features two performances of floats on the parade day when sacrificial rituals are conducted, attracting immense crowds. Shek O Village used to be predominately a Hakka community, but now many foreigners reside in this small village and enjoy the immersion into the local culture. Some of them even joined the Shek O Residents Association and partook in the organisation of the Festival. The 280-year-old Lam Tsuen Jiao Festival also introduced some new elements to traditions in 2017. There were talks, exhibitions and newly published books, all because the organisers are convinced that Jiao Festival means more than making wis

English
  • Originally Aired January 31, 2019
  • Network RTHK
  • Created June 8, 2020 by
    Administrator admin
  • Modified June 8, 2020 by
    Administrator admin