Daqi Community (Daqi Granary Rice Farmer Culture Museum)

Daqi Community (Daqi Granary Rice Farmer Culture Museum) Introduction

The "Dajieg Cultural Foundation" is rooted in the Dajieg community (including Erjie, Zhen'an, and Sanxing villages) and actively cultivates and revitalizes local culture. The base is located in the Xikou area of the Lanyang River, where cultivation began during the Qianlong period. With development, a settlement gradually formed, establishing a ferry that became an important waterway hub for communicating within the Lanyang Plain. From early times dominated by rice farming to the paper industry that developed during Japanese rule, the community has progressively formed an industrial settlement centered around paper mills. Moreover, the Wang Gong Temple within the community serves as the core of faith and is renowned for its unique "fire-passing" ritual. Rice Farming Culture: Historically, this area has been a major production center for rice in the Lanyang Plain. The "Erjie Granary" near the station was responsible for purchasing and transporting rice from vast agricultural regions. This building witnessed the prosperity of the rice industry and the development of the local economy. Despite its historical significance, the Erjie Granary continues to attract attention for its elegant yet simple appearance. The building has now been designated as a county-level historic site and transformed into a venue to showcase rice culture, allowing visitors to learn about the rice planting process and the daily lives of rice farmers. Additionally, the "Erjie Irrigation" was once the lifeline of local agriculture and remains an important testament to the rice culture in Erjie. Paper Industry Culture: The paper industry culture in Erjie and Sijie originated during the Japanese colonial period. To utilize the leftover sugarcane pulp from sugar production, paper mills were established near sugar factories, marking the beginning of machine-made paper in Taiwan. The Zhongxing Paper Mill was once the largest newsprint production factory in Taiwan. Although the two paper mills in Erjie and Sijie have ceased operations, they continue to provide economic vitality and cultural influence to the local area. The chimney of the paper mill served as a symbol for those returning home and a reminder to residents of the industrial development history of this land. Furthermore, the development of the paper mills contributed to changes in the lifestyle of the entire settlement. Religious Culture: The Wang Gong Temple in Erjie has been an important religious center for the community since the 51st year of the Qianlong reign. Wang Gong is a deity from Zhangpu, Fujian. It is said that Wang Gong sacrificed himself to resist the Mongols during the late Southern Song period. Wang Gong’s divinity is closely related to healing, geomancy, and Taoist practices, providing services for medical care, disaster relief, and exorcism for the immigrants during the land cultivation period, becoming a spiritual support for the residents. The special rituals of the Wang Gong Temple, such as the "Martial Sedan Chair" and "Fire Passing," have become famous religious cultural events in Taiwan, attracting devotees from across the nation. The history of the fire-passing ritual can be traced back over a hundred years and in 2007, it was selected as one of Taiwan's top 100 religious sites, reflecting its profound impact on local culture. Proactively Promoting Cultural Preservation and Community Engagement: The foundation adheres to the philosophy of preserving and utilizing cultural assets, striving to reconnect people with each other and the land, and raising awareness about the preservation of local cultural heritage. Since 1991, the foundation has led several important projects, including the reconstruction of the Wang Gong Temple, the registration of cultural landscapes, and the establishment of various cultural museums. These accomplishments reflect its deep concern for the overall development of the community. The foundation advocates that cultural assets should be integrated into social contexts and continues to promote the revitalization and innovative development of local culture through community activities and intergenerational transmission.

Community Coming-of-Age Ceremony - Fire Walking

In 2015, it was awarded the Excellent Unit Award for "Management and Maintenance of Historic Monuments and Buildings" by the Ministry of Culture.