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I get an error when I try to reply, so just sending a test message. If this works, I will reply again.
Edit:
Here in Taiwan, there seem to be three main religions that have fused together and make it almost impossible to distinguish: Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. Generally speaking, the religious traditions here are more cultural traditions that honor the gods and I haven't had anyone that can explain exactly what tradition goes with what religion, so I'm guessing they have meshed together.
Some big religious ceremonies here are:
Bai Bai. This is a big parade where the gods visit various businesses and temples. Here is something you would typically see:
http://tinyurl.com/6f8ll3
That is a person walking around in a god costume. A person at a business burns money. It's not real money, but it acts as a gift to the gods so they can spend money here on earth. They also lay out food and drink as a tradition so the gods can have food.
There are often fire works, but not always. The BIA BIA almost always has loud music playing and, on the big ones, various cars and trucks with people playing music, dancing, or doing other various forms of entertainment. It's really funny to see as a foreigner in a small town in Taiwan. I stop to watch what I find different - the BIA BIA parade. At the same time, everyone on the trucks are looking at me - the foreigner - as if I'm the different one.
One big celebration in Taiwan is the Matsu festival. Matsu is the goddess of the sea in Taoism. Every year, she is carried from her temple to the sea then back again. She gets carried from the Chenlan Temple in Taichung to the sea and back again. The streets are crowded and people try their hardest to be able to walk under the goddess and be blessed. So many fireworks are set off that it is impossible to sleep and you might as well join in the celebration if it passes by your house.
Here is a video of the festival at one point:
http://tinyurl.com/63wkuf
I have pictures of it somewhere if you want those. My e-mail link is in my profile. Just shout and I'll send you some. It might take me a day or two to dig them up, however.
Matt
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