Yi-Ge

Yi-Ge_(Taiwan) (roughly meaning art pavilion) is a float parade commonly seen in religious events in Taiwan. Originated from Chinese folk art tradition, Yi-Ge was first brought to Taiwan in the Qing Dynasty and has evolved with time and technological advancements. Now the floats are larger, the themes and settings are more varied, the painting and decoration, costume and make-up styling, and the sound and visual effects also become more elaborate and colorful to make the story and roles more engaging. The roles are usually played by real people, but recently there are mannequin characters as well.

History

The art of Yi-Ge spread to Taiwan in the early Qing Dynasty as “platform pavilion” or “man shouldered pavilion”, names commonly referred to in China. As a popular part in folk events and festivals, Yi-Ge floats were usually sponsored by the local gentry. On the float there were young girls or Taiwanese geishas dressed as historical figures or folk heroes to tour the town. It required extensive preparations and expense to build an eye-catching float, and was criticized as a waste of money. In addition to religious occasions, Yi-Ge parades were also seen in funeral processions. Later, Yi-Ge was banned by the government, but its popularity remained high.

During the early period of Japanese rule, Yi-Ge was popular around Taiwan and began to be referred to with elegant names, such as “poetic scene” and “poetic story”, and “poetic pavilion”. The decoration began to include poetic and picturesque scenes. Lian Ya-tang claimed that a “poetic scene” should express beauty through exquisite craftsmanship. He even took part in the design of Yi-Ge, bringing it to the level of art. To show off their wealth and gain recognition, the local gentry were more than willing to support Yi-Ge parades. A beautiful Yi-Ge float was believed to be an effective form of media for commercial purposes. It was also utilized for political propaganda or showing off political achievements. In 1923, during a visit of the Japanese prince Hirohito to Taiwan, the government arranged a parade consisting of a number of amateur troupes in Taipei, 19 of which were Yi-Ge troupes. Approximately at the same time, Yi-Ge parades began to appear in funeral occasions and began to receive negative criticisms because they were thought to be an extravagance and violation against social institutions.

In the later period of Japanese regime, to promote the Kominka Movement, the authorities banned all folk religious activities in Taiwan, bringing Yi-Ge culture to a halt until 1945. Now, Yi-Ge parades are gaining more popularity in areas around Beigang than in Tainan and Taipei. The floats are so dazzling and brilliant that they have become a must-see part of folk activities in Taiwan, especially in Beigang, Yunlin; Puzi, Jiayi; and Xuejia, Tainan. The most famous are the real-people parades in Beigang and Puzi (in Jiayi) during March of the lunar calendar celebrating the birthday of Mazu.

Evolution

Yi-Ge parades have evolved in terms of vehicle, design, lighting equipment, and sound effects. In early times, a Yi-Ge float was shouldered by men. In later developments, water buffalos, tractor, or trucks are included as major carriers. A float is also a vehicle. Hand-drawing paintings and handmade decorations are replaced by new materials like large format prints and electronic decorations. The kerosene lighting is replaced by neon lights, with the addition of dry ice to provide dazzling sound and light effects. The characters on the float also transform from Taiwanese geishas playing nanguan to children dressed in costume. Some of them even display mannequins instead of real human beings.

Types of Yi-Ge Parades

Yi-Ge parades in Taiwan can be put into two categories:

1. Religious parades: Usually utilized to support religious events, these parades are believed to be capable of blessing people and expelling evil elements. They appear in the form of “Tīn-thâu” parades, centipede parades or centipede floats. The centipede parades in Tainan are the most famous and are always seen in major religious pilgrimages.
2. Entertaining parades: There are three subgroups of entertaining parades, including the Taiwanese geisha parade, Yi-Ge parade and the linking parade. The geisha parade, which has ceased to be a trend, features young girls singing or playing nanguan music. The linking parade, which is not seen anymore, is designed between a centipede parade and a geisha parade, with notches connecting individual planks, on which there are children dressed in costume sitting quietly. The Yi-Ge parade, which features children or mannequins dressed as roles in folktales sitting on the planks in the backdrop of the story scene, is currently the mainstream practice in Taiwan.

Structure of Yi-Ge Float

A Yi-Ge float consists of the following elements:

1. Floats that consist of a wooden base, a metal frame, platforms, and planks which connect to each other.
2. Children, teenagers, or mannequins sitting on the decorated floats, role-playing characters according to a specific theme or story.
3. Artful design of the story, setting, decoration, lighting, and electricity-driven parts. The story is usually a clip from traditional chapter stories, plays, folktales or mythology. In recent years, scenes of important political and economic projects or from TV animations are also welcome. The beautiful and vivid setting, dazzling lighting, and music help to express the beauty of the float.
4. A movable structure. In early times, Yi-Ge floats were shouldered by men or pulled by horses or trucks. There were also floats in boat shape. Now the oxcart, tricycle, motorcycle, tractor, van, and truck also play a role in moving the floats.

The Yi-Ge Parades of Beigang

File:北港朝天宮-藝閣遊街.jpg

藝閣繞行北港朝天宮

In Beigang, the Yi-Ge parade is a featured part of the “Mazu Festival of Chaotian Temple” and designated as a national folk event in Taiwan. The largest real-people Yi-Ge pilgrimage in Taiwan also takes place here. The pilgrimage, which is formed by sacred palanquins, “Tīn-thâu”, and Yi-Ge parades, tours around the town during March 19-20 of the lunar calendar to celebrate the birthday of Mazu. The Yi-Ge floats will tour the town for five days, and on the fifth day the winning ones are selected for public display. Participation of local people, companies, and believers from around Taiwan makes it one of the most important events in Beigang.

The Yi-Ge parade of Beigang features electric lanterns and designs. The scenes are mainly clips from folktales with educational purposes, with children role-playing and handcrafted decorations. Children are recruited by sponsors, and the decoration of the float and children are usually done by skillful artisans. During the pilgrimage, children on the floats spread candies as a symbol of Mazu giving blessing and peace to people. The year of 2021 marked the comeback of the Dragon-Phoenix parade, which had been on a decline since 1976. As a kind of “Tīn-thâu” parade and though has less variation, Dragon-Phoenix parade can carry 8 to 108 people. The parade is consecrated before leading the ceremony of greeting and seeing off deities in the pilgrimage.

References

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