Taichung Nantun Celebrates Dragon Boat Festival with Traditional 'Wooden Clog' Parade

The Nantun District of Taichung held its annual 'Wearing Clogs to Wake the Pangolin' Dragon Boat Festival celebration today. This year’s event featured a 'Fairy Tale Carnival' theme, with participants dressed as classic fairy tale characters and competing in a traditional four-person wooden clog race to continue century-old customs.

Hosted at the historic Wanhe Temple, the festivities included traditional games such as rolling iron hoops and carrying rice baskets. Legislative Yuan Vice President Johnny Chiang and Deputy Mayor Cheng Chao-hsin participated in the activities, experiencing the local custom of eating 'Jute Soup' (Ma-yi) paired with rice dumplings, a unique culinary tradition of the Taichung region.

Deputy Mayor Cheng noted that the tradition originated during the Japanese colonial period. The loud sounds created by the wooden clogs were intended to wake the 'pangolin' (a local deity) from its winter slumber, praying for good weather, bountiful harvests, and peace for the region.

Local government officials and volunteers collaborated to prepare over 330 catties of fresh jute for the event. By providing traditional food and organizing community games, the event highlighted the vibrant, unique cultural identity and social cohesion of the Nantun community.