Four men hoist a palanquin on their shoulders holding a divinity bringing good fortune and walk through a cloud of firecracker explosions, an ancient tradition to mark the end of the Lunar New Year celebrations in Taiwan.
“
Master Han Dan Bombing
” has been practiced for more than a century in the town of Zhunan, in the northwest of the island.
This tradition of throwing firecrackers at a deity - and at those who carry it at the risk of harming them - began after a plague epidemic, explains Chen Chien-long, head of the organizing committee.
“
Master Han Dan came down from the sky and said to the people: ‘You must bombard the plague with firecrackers’
.”
“
The firecrackers also brought warmth to Master Han Dan, who was afraid of the cold
,” Mr. Chen said.
Master Han Dan is a god of good fortune, and the explosion of fireworks is also considered a good omen.
“
The more we bombard it with firecrackers, the more prosperous we will be
,” says Mr. Chen.
The festivities, which usually take place on the 15th day of the Lunar New Year, fell this year on Saturday evening and attracted hundreds of spectators who kept a safe distance.
Covering their ears to protect themselves from the loud explosions of the firecrackers, they tried to film the scene with their smartphones.
“Some bodily injuries”
Officials dressed in yellow - wearing hats, gloves and masks to protect themselves - lit the firecrackers and threw them as the procession passed.
In the center, four men dressed in simple red shorts carried a palanquin in which Master Han Dan sat, decorated with a few green palm leaves.
The porters also brandished a broom to drive away evil spirits.
To prepare to become one of the palanquin bearers, Chao Jen-hao said he followed a vegetarian diet and avoided all sin for three days.
“
Carrying the palanquin for me is showing my dedication,
” he said, insisting that “
there is no pain
” when the explosions of firecrackers brush against his tattooed skin.
“
As long as my heart is with Master Han Dan, everything will be fine
,” says the 28-year-old.
But Lien Chong-liang, 63 - who has worked in this job for 15 years - explains that walking in the procession is like "being in a shootout".
But “I have no fear,” he assures.
“There will of course be some bodily injuries, that’s normal.
It doesn't matter to me."