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Zhen Tou

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Parade formations, also known as "Tīn-thâu" in Taiwanese Hokkien or "Zhen Tou" in Mandarin (陣頭), are a traditional folk art originating from China. As a part of worship activities and temple festivals, members of communities express gratitude to the gods by escorting them in a procession. This practice can be either performed while walking or in fixed locations along the streets, incorporating elements of acrobatics and folk dramas. The term “Zhen Tou” came from coastal regions like Fuzhou and Minnan in China. The folk art has flourished in Taiwan, particularly in the southern regions where the highest number and variety of Zhen Tou can be found.[1][2]

History and evolution

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During the Ming and Qing dynasties, when Chinese people immigrated to Taiwan, they brought along with them their folk beliefs and Zhen Tou performances. As the times change, the influences of globalization and localization have allowed Zhen Tou diverse developments. For instance, during the period of Japanese rule in Taiwan, Japanese-style palanquins emerged; the 1960s to 1970s, influenced by popular culture, saw the emergence of performances like “Sulan's Wedding Parade” and “Filial Daughter Bai Qin.” In the 1980s, electronic floats became popular, and after 2000, traditional music for Zhen Tou gradually gave way to popular music. Electric-Techno Neon Gods performances emerged, and pole dancing gained popularity.[3][4][5]

While the displays of Zhen Tou are gradually declining in urban areas of northern Taiwan, it is still thriving in the southern regions. As preserving and inheriting folk culture are being valued, Zhen Tou has found its way onto the stages of arts and cultural events, and it's being promoted on campuses as well.[2]

Characteristics

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Zhen Tou performances reflect each distinct local social life and cultural tradition, which take place while in procession or in stationary locations such as streets or squares. The performances are relatively short with simple storylines, basic costumes, props, and music. The format is flexible, allowing for improvised performances in accordance with different venues or circumstances.[3][6]

Categorization

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There are various types and formats of Zhen Tou in Taiwan, contributing to the intricacy of their categorization. The common categorizations include:[7]

  • Based on performance characteristics: literary parade formations (“Wen Zhen”) and martial parade formation (“Wu Zhen”).
    • “Wen Zhen” focuses on singing and dancing, often accompanied by relatively complete musical arrangements. Examples include " Niu Li Ge Zhen " (Plowing Ox Song Formation) and " Qian Wang Ge Zhen " (Guiding the Deceased Song Formation).
    • "Wu Zhen" usually involves martial arts performances with relatively basic musical accompaniments. Examples include Song Jiang Battle Array and dragon and lion dances.[2][8]
  • Based on personnel organization: community-based parade formations (“ Zhuang Tou Zhen”) and professional parade formations.
    • “Zhuang Tou Zhen” are amateur groups formed spontaneously by community residents based on blood or geographical relations, often trained by local temples.
    • Due to rural population outflows since the 1980s, forming Zhen Tou has become more challenging. As a response to temple festivals and celebratory events, there has been a rise in professional parade formations, which are professional performing groups catering to commercial events.[3][6][9]

References

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  1. ^ "發展簡史|傳統雜技主題知識網". acrobatic.ncfta.gov.tw (in Chinese). Retrieved 2023-08-23.
  2. ^ a b c 蔡, 文婷. "人神共遊行——台灣的藝閣與陣頭 - 台灣光華雜誌". 台灣光華雜誌 Taiwan Panorama (in Chinese). Retrieved 2023-08-23.
  3. ^ a b c 林, 茂賢 (2016-03-10). "陣頭的傳承與創新" (PDF). 臺灣學通訊. 92: 4–7.
  4. ^ 陳, 彥廷 (2015-09-11). "東港迎王祭10.4登場 謝絕辣妹團 - 地方 - 自由時報電子報". news.ltn.com.tw (in Chinese). Retrieved 2023-08-23.
  5. ^ 謝孟穎, 潘渝霈 (2017-02-17). "為何台灣人總愛瞧不起自己文化?當「電子花車」成低俗象徵,德國人卻這樣盛讚-風傳媒". www.storm.mg (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 2023-08-23.
  6. ^ a b "概說與欣賞|臺灣文化入口網". toolkit.culture.tw (in Chinese). Retrieved 2023-08-23.
  7. ^ 施, 德華. "臺南市藝陣資源網". tnyj.tnc.gov.tw. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
  8. ^ 王麗雁,徐麗紗,林玫君,盧昭惠 (2008). 臺灣藝術教育史 (in Chinese). Taiwan: 國立臺灣藝術教育館. p. 173. ISBN 9789860147469.
  9. ^ 謝, 國興 (2019). "唐山過臺灣的廟會陣頭:去中國化/更本土化?". 國立陽明交通大學人文與社會科學院.