Sweet Potato Uncle Kiln Introduction
Leaving behind the fictional depiction of the Central Plains fields, the traditional "Keng Yao" (earth oven) is also quite popular in the rural areas of Taiwan. In the past, after the autumn harvest, "Keng Yao" activities would become very lively. On one hand, farmers had more free time after the harvest, and on the other hand, after the rice was harvested, they only needed to plow the land to loosen the soil. The harder clods of soil, when dried, could be used to build ovens. Although the standard of living back then might not have always allowed for "earth oven chicken," roasting sweet potatoes and corn was always an important recreational activity for rural children. Nowadays, children in modern society may not have even had the experience of "Keng Yao," and perhaps only a few have ever touched mud. Fortunately, Hsinchu County, which emphasizes leisure agriculture, has several farms where "Keng Yao" can be experienced, allowing the elderly to relive their childhood memories and the young to connect with the land, building their own "Keng Yao." If you enter the words "Keng Yao" into Google, you'll find "Ban Shu Bo Keng Yao" in Beipu appearing at the top of the search results. Indeed, every aspect of "Beipu Zhu Yu Cha Lu Ban Shu Bo Keng Yao" is well-regarded, not only for its long history but also for its excellent facilities and attentive service. Many visitors have shared their experiences at "Keng Yao" on their own websites, which explains its high ranking on search engines. "Beipu Zhu Yu Cha Lu" is located in the Nanpu Village of Beipu Township. Driving south along Provincial Highway 3, after passing through the bustling old street community and the Daping Creek, you will arrive at the leisurely and comfortable Nanpu Village, filled with rural charm. Nanpu Village is famously known as the "Golden Water Town." With the joint efforts of the community, the water channels here have been cleaned and maintained, continuously supplying the necessary water for the fields, so whether it's rice, citrus fruits, or vegetables, the harvest is excellent. After passing the "Bai Fen Bridge" (Nanpu Bridge) built a century after the founding of the Republic, you continue along the farm roads. Depending on the season, you can see different crops along the way. After identifying the various crops, you will reach "Ban Shu Bo Keng Yao." "Ban Shu Bo" refers to a real person. He is Mr. Zhuang, a local farmer who dedicated his life to agriculture and established this leisure farm. Though he has now handed over the farm to his son, visitors can still occasionally see him helping out, whether it be making mochi or tending the fire, warmly greeting guests. One of the benefits of visiting "Ban Shu Bo Keng Yao" is that the ingredients are prepared, and the oven is already partially assembled. Visitors are responsible for completing the half-finished earthen oven and monitoring the flames. Once they place the food inside and seal the oven, they can participate in other farming activities on the farm instead of waiting by the oven. Straw is absolutely essential in the countryside. Initially, when staff at the farm took out the straw to weave, visitors expressed doubt, saying, "That's too difficult!" "I can't make that!" But as the staff drew out two pieces of straw, enticing visitors to follow along step by step, even an eighty-year-old man and six or seven-year-old children focused intently on the process. If anyone fell behind, staff members would promptly assist them. The seemingly complex straw figure only took about half an hour to complete, and soon everyone had their own. The children happily compared their creations, reminiscent of the children of the era who worried about "Zhuge Silang and the Devil Party fighting over the precious sword" in the song "Childhood." After finishing their straw figures, on the other side of the open area, the staff encouraged everyone to come together to make scarecrows. With two pieces of straw—one for the upper body and one for the skirt or pants—combined with accessories from the visitors, modern scarecrows adorned with flower hats, sunglasses, and designer handbags headed to the field's banquet, creating a lively atmosphere. If there are enough people, visitors could also ride a bullock cart through the streets or participate in farming experience challenges, ensuring that everyone fully enjoys the fun of farming while savoring delicious food. Additionally, across from the farm is "Jinxiu Hall," built by the ancestors of Ban Shu Bo in 1882. Remarkably, all the wood used in this residence came from a single camphor tree, making it hard to imagine how large the tree must have been to achieve such a task. Interested visitors might want to check out this ancient house, which combines historical value and architectural beauty.
