Kinmen's Buzzing Celebration: The Bee Worship Ritual for Mazu's Birthday

A Unique Taiwanese Tradition: Diving into the Spiritual Heart of Kinmen

Taipei, April 21 – Residents of Kinmen County, Taiwan, celebrated the birthday of the revered sea goddess Mazu on Sunday with the annual Bee Worship Ritual. This vibrant cultural event involves the exhilarating challenge of snatching offerings while dodging swinging palanquins, a testament to the island's rich folk traditions.

Recognized as an integral part of Kinmen's intangible cultural heritage, the ritual takes place during an annual sacrificial festival held on the 23rd day of the third lunar month, honoring the female deity Mazu.

Outside the Fengshang Tianhou Temple in Jinhu Township, the atmosphere buzzed with activity as villagers carried two swinging palanquins through a lively crowd. Temple elders participated by tossing red duck eggs and rice cakes, and spraying holy water into the crowd.

Adults and children alike eagerly darted into the path of the palanquins, attempting to skillfully avoid the swinging sedan chairs and splashes of water. This symbolic act is believed to bring peace and good health to those who participate.

Cheng Jung-chang (鄭榮璋), head of Fengshang Tianhou Temple, explained that the Bee Worship Ritual is a unique Kinmen tradition, inspired by the historical presence of beehives near the temple. The ritual is linked to the area's former abundance of wild bees, which have since decreased due to deforestation and other environmental changes.