Donggong Township, Pingtung, Taiwan [東港鎮]
Boat Burning Festival (2003)
The photographs in this series correspond to the final stages of the Safety Peace Ceremonies, as locals call it, or the Boat Burning Festival as it has become known. Once every three years the temple begins practicing a variety of rituals which culminate in a boat burning ceremony. Worshippers place food, images of deities, and other offerings on a huge, magnificently decorated authentic wooden ship, lovingly carved and constructed by local craftsmen. Numerous rituals are performed over the eight days, including prayers at the beach and parades of the massive ship through local villages. On the eighth day the ship is returned to the Dung-Lung Temple. An exhilarating parade of musicians herald in the massive vessel, pulled gingerly by local fishermen of all ages. The boat is then hauled to its final destination, the Dung-Kung Beach. It is positioned on a mountain of paper ("ghost/spirit money") and, after final prayers and rituals, set ablaze with fireworks, until nothing remains but hot embers and ash.